I.IAMENTARIAN TROW LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDDmb'^OTHfl Class Book. .T ai GoppghtN^, COEHilGHT DEPOSrr. THE PARLIAMENTARIAN A MANUAL OF PARLIAMENTARY PRO- CEDURE. EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING, AND THE ART OF DEBATE By CORA WELLES TROW REVISED EDITION 9l^e Gre^ ^Sfisfirw Company New Yoik Bo»ton Chicago San Francisco Copyright, 1905, 1913, 1915, 1920 BY CORA WELLES TROW APR 20 1920 ©CI.A566603 s^ '^. Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can. This is the service of a friend, — Emerson. 3 h so- rt o g 3 c < o •ti 3 ^ C ° t« o rt £J .5^ o >. ^o2 .T3 •3iiig|i|i: _y « rt o^ o ^^ 3 ^ _j '^ ^ C H ■<■' ij ~ <- t- o * * * * # CO » * » * * » » ♦ « « « t^ 4f Tt * * lOvO * * -"t* Q U U3 '43 M a O Ph Ph P^ CP^ Pi; Pii T3 . ai P< =! O .2 ^^ to J5 t^ H PREFACE. It is the desire of all organizations to trans- act the business before them in the most cor- rect and expeditious manner. It is impossible to fulfill this desire without the aid of Parlia- mentary Law. When business is transacted in an unparliamentary manner, the very action the organization desires to take is often ren- dered null and void because of the irregularity of the procedure. It was formerly contended that if a club did what it desired to do, it was not necessary that it should be done correctly. " A club is a self-governing organization," " A body is superior to its constitution; " these were some of the expressions commonly used. This point has been settled by several legal decisions, notably that of Judge Campbell, who holds that, clubs are only self-ruling as far as their constitutions agree with the gen- eral principles of common law. This being the case it is necessary for us to acquaint our- selves with the laws governing the proceedings of clubs and societies, in order that the action taken may be in accordance with these laws. This manual is intended to furnish a guide to the proper procedure to be pursued in the con- duct of the meetings of clubs and societies. It is founded on those of Thomas Jefferson and Henry M. Roberts, and is intended for the use of deliberative assemblies only. Tlae seccaxd Preface part of this book is intended to furnish a few simple rules for the preparation and delivery of an extemporaneous speech, to which is added the proper method for arranging an informal debate. The disinclination of the present day audi- ence to listen to a written speech makes it highly desirable for those who seek to hold the attention of those they address to be able to dispense with notes. There is a growing tendency on the part of clubs and societies to use the debate as a means of arriving at some definite conclusion in regard to the subject brought before them for study. There is no available guide for the conduct of such debates, which, from their nature, require a slightly different form of procedure from that employed in the legal or political debate. They must, in fact, be a mingHng of the formal and informal. It is hoped that the method outlined in this book will be found helpful. Thanks are due to Prof. Raymond MacDonald Alden, whose sys- tem of argumentation as outlined in his book, "The Art of Debate," has been followed in this work. PART ONE Organization and Conduct OF Meetings NOTE The numbers inserted in the text of this book refer to the pages on which the references may be found. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE. I. Mass Meeting. There are three kinds of meetings that require the use of parliamentary law in order to carry out the purposes for which they are in- tended. They are the mass or volun- tary, the club or regular, and the con- vention or occasional. A mass meeting is a meeting called to discuss the advis- ability of taking some proposed action and at this meeting the sense of those present is ascertained by the introduction of a motion and the taking of a vote. The purpose of the meeting may be anything that seems to require concerted action. A call is issued stating the pur- pose of the meeting, the time and place, and to this should be affixed three signa- tures. There may be an indefinite number of signatures affixed to the call but there should be at least three. When the mass meeting is assembled the person who sent out the notices for the 12 The Parliamentarian meeting calls it to order. The proper manner in which to call any meeting to order is one tap of the gavel followed by the words,* " The meeting will come to order." The call that has been sent out is then read and the first busi- ness before the meeting is the election of a chairman. Any one present may suggest a nomination, which is done by the member rising and saying, " Mr. Chairman," after which the chairman repeats the name of the member and so confers the right to introduce what the member desires to suggest to the meet- ing. If only one name is suggested, it is in order that a motion be made and seconded that Mr. should act as Chairman of the meeting. If several names are suggested, the Chairman must be selected by the filHng of blanks (63). All motions when properly moved and seconded, are put to vote as follows, " Those in favor say aye. Those op- posed say no.'' If the majority have voted *' aye " the Chairman announces * The exact words used by chairmen are often given in this work, but it is not to be inferred that these are the only forms permitted. These forms are proper and common and are inserted as a guide to those unfamiliar with parliamentary usage. Parliamentary Procedure 13 that the vote is carried; if a majority have voted ** no," he announces that the vote is ** lost." The words " carried " or " lost " must be said after each vote. The result must be plainly announced. In taking a vote the ayes and noes must both be called for and the result announced, otherwise no vote is taken. Uninformed Chairmen when putting a vote of thanks often fail to ask for the *' noes." In that event no vote is taken so no thanks are conveyed. When a rising vote of thanks is moved the vote should first be taken and then the assem- bly should rise and remain standing while the Chairman conveys the thanks to the one named in the vote. After election the Chairman takes the chair and says: "The first business before you is the election of a Secretary.'* Some member is nominated Secretary, the motion is seconded and put to vote in the same manner as was the vote for Chairman. The Secretary should sit near the Chairman, and take a record of the proceedings. These two officers are all that are required by parliamentary law in order to conduct a meeting, but 14 The Parliamentarian it is often most expedient to elect more if their services are needed. The Chairman now asks : "What is the further pleasure of the meeting?" If the meeting be of a public character, such as a political meeting, it is cus- tomary at this stage of the proceedings for some one to offer a set of resolutions, which, when adopted, become the sense of the meeting. If the meeting is called to protest against a grievance, or propose action along some line of municipal work, it is in order that some member should move that a committee be ap- pointed to draft a set of resolutions. The Chair states the question, which should be as follows: "It is moved and seconded that a committee be appointed to draft a set of resolutions which shall express the purpose of this meeting." As soon as this motion is repeated by the Chair it becomes the question before the house, is open for discussion, and must be decided before another main motion is in order. If no one rises to discuss the motion, or if the motion is dis- cussed at length the Chair should ask, Parliamentary Procedure 15 "Are you ready for the question?" It is in order, then, for the members to say "question," and the motion is immedi- ately put to vote. Unless the Chair asks, "Are you ready for the question?" it is never in order for the members to say " question." If the motion in regard to the committee is carried, it is in order for the Chair to ask to be instructed how the committee is to be appointed and of how many it shall consist. If these points are not included in the original motion, another motion is now in order to cover these details. If it is the wish of the assembly that the Chair shall ap- point the committee, he proceeds at once to do so; if the house, the names nom- inated to serve are put to vote collect- ively, thus: "As many as are in favor of the gentlemen named constituting the committee will say aye. Opposed, no.'' If more names are nominated than can be elected they must be voted upon separately. The committee when appointed should at once leave the room in order to draw up its report, which should be in the form i6 The Parliamentarian of a set of resolutions. These should first state the purpose of the meeting, then the action suggested in regard to that purpose, and finally the method by which it is proposed to carry out the action. During the absence of the com- mittee the subject is open for discussion, and speeches may be made with a view to imparting information in regard to the purpose of the meeting. Upon the return of the committee, the Chairman, who is usually the first one named, pre- sents the report, saying: "The commit- tee appointed to draft resolutions is pre- pared to report." If there is no objec- tion the report is then read and so re- ceived. Any member may object to re- ceiving the report of a committee, but he must give good and sufficient reasons for so doing; it is never in order to vote to receive a report after it has been read. When the report has been read the chair- man of the committee should move that it be adopted. It may then be discussed and amended before the vote is taken, or a mo- tion may be made that the report be con- sidered. When such a motion is carried, Parliamentary Procedure 17 the report comes before the assembly for consideration, and may be amended to suit the views of the assembly who will then vote to adopt or accept the re- port as amended. As soon as the report is read it is the property of the assembly, and the committee is disbanded. This is the proper method for dealing with the report of any special committee. (See 91.) When the report has been acted upon, the purpose of the meeting has been fulfilled, and a motion to ad- journ is in order. If the assembly de- sire to take further action in regard to the m.atter under discussion, it may ad- journ to meet at the call of the Chair, or at some specified time. When an assembly simply adjourns it is disbanded and can only reconvene by means of the issuance of another call. 2. Permanent Society. When a mass meeting is called for the purpose of or- ganizing a permanent society or club, a committee is appointed to draw up a constitution to be presented at the next meeting. The difference between a, i8 The Parliamentarian permanent and voluntary organization consists in the fact that the first meets only in response to a call and the second meets under the requirements of a con- stitution. At a meeting called to organ- ize a permanent society, the first motion in-order after the election of the chair- man and the secretary is : " I move that we shall proceed to take action to organize a club for (here state purpose). After this motion has been seconded and passed by the house, the appointment of a com- mittee to draft a constitution is the next business in order. This committee should be instructed to report at the next meeting. The motion to adjourn should state the time and place of the next meeting. The second meeting of a permanent society should consider the report of its committee which drafted the con- stitution. After this has been adopted the meeting proceeds to elect permanent officers under its requirements. Parlia- mentary law requires a chairman or president and a secretary; it permits of as many officers as an organization Parliamentary Procedure 19 sees fit to create. A president, a vice- president, a recording secretary, a cor- responding secretary, and a treasurer, are the officers commonly required under an ordinary constitution. Provision should also be made for an auditing com- mittee. The duties of these officers are defined by parliamentary law, and if the constitution calls for the creation of more than these it must define their duties. The constitution of a permanent organi- zation must contain five articles, and may contain seven. If five, they are as follows: 1. Name and object of the society. 2. Qualification of members. 3. Officers. 4. Meetings. 5. How to amend the constitution. If seven articles are required they are as follows: 1. Name. 2. Object. 3. QuaHfication of members. 4. Officers. 5. Meetings. 6. Finances. 7. How to amend the constitution. 20 The Parliamentarian The sixth article, "finances", is im- portant as it should state from what source the club is to derive its income. The constitution contains the laws of the society. It may also adopt by-laws which state the manner in which the requirements of the constitution shall be carried out. To illustrate: the con- stitution calls for the creation of a cer- tain number of officers; the by-laws specify their duties. By-laws should contain all the working details of the laws outlined in the constitution. They are simply numbered one, two, three, etc. By-laws should not require as long a notice as the constitution in order to be amended, and may provide for their own amendments by unanimous vote without previous notice (64). It is an almost universal rule to adopt by-laws, and we usually speak of "Constitution and By-laws," in fact, simply speaking of a club's constitution is considered sufficient to cover both words. In addition to constitution and by- laws some societies adopt resolutions of a permanent nature, which have some bearing on the conduct of their meetings. Parliamentary Procedure 21 These are called the Standing Rules. A motion obliging every member to be present at the time for opening a meeting or be subject to a fine, would be a stand- ing rule. In order to afford a means of settling quickly and satisfactorily all disputed parliamentary points, it is wise for clubs to adopt some manual as their parliamentary authority and have it so stated in their constitution. It should also be remembered that a constitution and by-laws are only effective to the ex- tent that they agree with the Law of the State in which the Society is operating. When the committee appointed to pre- sent a constitution is ready to report, the chairman announces that the next business in order is " the hearing of the report of the Committee on Constitution and B y-laws . ' ' The chairman of the com- mittee, after being recognized by the Chair, reads the report. The chairman then says : ' 'You have heard the report of your committee appointed to present a consti- tution and by-laws ; what will you do with it ?" The chaiiTQan of the committee then moves "That the report of the committee be adopted." When this is seconded it is 22 The Parliamentarian repeated by the Chair and becomes the question before the house. The Chair then say&i "The question is on the adop- tion of the constitution reported by the committee." He then reads the first article of the constitution, and asks: "Are there any amendments proposed to this article?" If none are offered, after a pause, he reads the next article, and asks the same question, and pro- ceeds thus until he reads the last article, when he says: "The whole constitution having been read, it is open to amend- ment." If there are no suggested amendments, he says: "Are you ready for the question?" If no one objects he puts the question: "As many as are in favor of adopting the constitution as amended will say aye," and then, "as many as are opposed will say no/' He distinctly announces the result of the vote, which should be done in all cases. When an article is amended it is proper to move, " That the article be approved as amended." No vote should be taken on the adoption of the several paragraphs, articles or by-laws, as they are amended, because it is always possible Parliamentary Procedure 23 that the assembly may desire to go back and amend the different paragraphs, articles, or By-laws still further before they are adopted as a whole. Some societies prefer to move, *' That the re- port of the committee appointed to pre- sent a constitution be considered." If this motion is carried, the report is read and amended as above, and another vote is taken on the adoption after it has been amended to meet the views of the assembly. "When a society once adopts a constitution it must be governed by its requirements. It may be amended imder the method prescribed for its amendment but it cannot be set aside. There is an erroneous opinion that a constitution can be set aside by a unanimous vote. There is no authority for this opinion. Neither a constitution, nor any part of a constitution can be set aside by a unanimous vote, but must govern the organization until amended. All constitutions must agree with State Law. 3. Convention. The third kind of meeting for which parliamentary pro- 24 The Parliamentarian cedure is required, is the convention. It is an assemblage of delegates convened for the purpose of electing officers, or for the transaction of any other business relating to the affairs or conduct of the independent body they individually rep- resent. A convention may be assem- bled as is a mass meeting, by means of the issuing of a call, or it may meet under the requirements of a constitution. In the former case the first business after the assembly is called to order is the appointment of a credentials committee. Until this committee reports the ntimber of duly accredited delegates present, no vote can be taken. When a convention meets under the requirements of a con- stitution, the credentials committee should be appointed before the conven- tion convenes; in that case, the first business in order after the call to order is the report of that committee. This report calls for a certain number of duly accredited delegates present, and no vote is legal that does not tally with the number reported. All listed delegates should be present or accounted for Parliamentary Procedure 25 when a vote is taken which directly or indirectly affects the organization they represent. All questions which are to be submitted to the vote of the convention must be stated in the call of the convention. A delegate is a person sent with repre- sentative powers to a convention for the transaction of the business of the organi- zation which those persons collectively represent. The law requires that they be chosen by ballot. A delegate having power to pledge his organization to stand by the obligations created by the vote he casts as its representative, must be elected and be able to bring credentials to prove that he is a duly accredited delegate. Conventions are always called to transact business which has been pre- viously discussed by the organizations represented at them by delegates, and these delegates come with power to vote as they think best for the interest of their organizations, which should instruct them in a general way as to their feelings in regard to the questions at issue. No new business can properly be brought 26 The Parliamentarian before a convention for action that has not been previously discussed by the organizations represented at the con- vention. When a vote is taken it should be by roll call of delegates (109). First, the name of the club should be read and then that of the delegate represent- ing it. Delegates do not vote as individ- uals but as representatives . No delegate when speaking to a question at a con- vention should state his individual opinion, but should voice as far as possi- ble the opinion of his club. Conventions are for the purpose of taking combined action along lines previously discussed by the bodies entitled to be represented at them. They also transact their regu- lar business such as the election of officers. 4. Meetings. Permanent organizations working under the requirements of a constitution, hold three kinds of meet- ings. Annual meetings, regular meet- ings, and special meetings. The annual meeting should close the club year and finish the business. All officers should Parliamentary Procedure 27 render written reports at the annual meeting. The annual election is held at the annual meeting, and unless there is a provision in the constitution to the con- trary, all newly elected officers take office as soon as elected. Regular meetings are meetings held at regular intervals. The routine business of an organization is transacted at the regular meetings. (For order of business see 36.)* The session of a club is the period over which its business meetings ex- tend. All business closes with the ses- sion. Clubs usually meet from Fall to Spring, in which case unfinished business can be left over from one meeting to the next, but all unfinished business must be acted upon at the meeting that closes the session. When a club adopts a line of work covering the period over which its meetings extend, or any program which arranges for all meetings during a certain period, its session is not over until the work or program is completed. When clubs meet continuously through the year, the annual meeting closes the * See Appendix. 28 The Parliamentarian session. No subject can be brought up for action twice in one session. This is usually expressed by stating that no Main Mjotion can be renewed in the same session. Clubs should so arrange their constitutions that their session should terminate with the annual meeting, otherwise the unfinished business will hold over, as the annual meeting does not terminate the session. 5. Quorum. A quorum of an assem- bly is such a number as is competent to transact its business. Unless there is a special rule on the subject, or a constitu- tional requirement, the quorum of every assembly is a majority of all the members of the assembly. If a quorum is not present a discussion may be held, but no business can be transacted, and the only motion in order is to adjourn. In per- manent organizations it is customary to adopt a small number as a quorum and this number is stated in the By-laws. 6. President. The Chairman or Presi- dent is elected as the executive officer of the club. He should preside at all meet- Parliamentary Procedure 29 ings of the club and of the Executive Board. He must see that the require- ments of the constitution are strictly carried out and that all proceedings are conducted according to parliamentary procedure. He is there to carry out the will of the club, not his own, and should therefore refrain from expressing any opinion while in the chair. If he desires to speak to a question before the house he must leave the chair, which should be occupied by the Vice-President while the President is speaking. When a member rises to speak, the President must repeat his name and thus accord his recognition and the floor. If two rise simultaneously the Chair can decide on the one he will recognize first, but the other must be recognized when the one chosen has spoken. A president stands when he addresses the house and sits when the members address him. When a motion is made and seconded it should be sub- mitted to the Recording Secretary in writing. It is then repeated by the Chair and becomes the question before the house, and the Chair announces that 30 The Parliamentarian the subject is open for discussion. Com- mon usage has fixed a time limit of three minutes or less, for each speaker, for ordinary club discussions. A president should never take part in a discussion unless he feels the club requires some in- formation that he alone can give, or unless some principle is involved. If he once allows the club to feel that he is partisan, he loses much of his influence. The President must preserve order. One stroke of the gavel calls the club to order, three strokes call an unruly meet- ing to order. When an improper mo- tion is made, instead of simply ruling it out of order, the Chair should explain why it cannot be put, and if possible, sug- gest one on the line that can. It is his business to see that the will of the club is carried out, and if they err through ignorance, he should guide them aright. A president can refuse to entertain a motion that he sees is introduced in order to cause unnecessary disputation. If the majority of the house is with him, they will sustain him if his decision is appealed from. The Chair cannot rule Parliamentary Procedure 31 a motion out of order, the purpose of which is simply to delay action; it is only justifiable when it is perfectly clear that the opposition is trying to obstruct business. All questions of privilege or order are decided by the Chair, subject to appeal. A president should above all things be self-controlled; he cannot control others if he cannot control him- self. In case of a tie, the Chair may throw the casting vote, and if a two- thirds vote is necessary and his vote thrown with the minority would defeat the measure, he has a right to cast it. He may also vote with the minority when it would produce a tie vote and so cause the motion to fail. When the vote is by ballot he is entitled to vote as a member of the assembly. The Presi- dent must authenticate by his signature, all the acts of the assembly as occasion may demand, and must stand for and represent the organization at all times, and in all things obey its commands. All chairmen and presidents should re- member that, "The great purpose of all rules and forms is to subserve the will of 32 The Parliamentarian the assembly rather than to restrain it; to facilitate and not to obstruct the ex- pression of their deliberate sense." 7. Vice-President. The Vice-President is elected for the purpose of fulfill- ing the President's duties when the latter is absent. He should also assist the Presi- dent in every way in his power to carry on the work of the club. 8. Recording Secretary. A Recording Secretary is always seated upon the platform. He takes notes of the pro- ceedings and embodies them in the minutes, which are a record of all actions taken. In the absence of the President and Vice-President the Recording Secre- tary presides over the meeting. In that case the minutes are taken by the Cor- responding Secretary. All official docu- ments belonging to a club are in the hands of the Recording Secretary. Dur- ing the course of a meeting the Record- ing Secretary advises the Chair as to what business is in order. When a mo- tion is made it should be written down, Parliamentary Procedure 33 together with the name of the mover and seconder, and given to the Record- ing Secretary, who reads it before the President gives it to the club, but a motion of small importance is usually submitted verbally. After a motion is read by the Recording Secretary the Chair then says: " You have heard the motion; what is your pleasure? " and so throws it open for discussion. When motions are not submitted in writing, they are repeated verbally by the Chair. 9. Minutes. The Recording Secre- tary keeps the minutes of the assembly, which are a record of all actions taken. Motions that are withdrawn do not ap- pear on the minutes. All motions that are put to a vote appear on the minutes, together with the names of the mover and seconder and the result of the vote. Motions should be recorded as follows: "Moved by Mr. A., seconded by Mr. B." that such and such action be taken. Carried or lost, as the case may be. The minutes should be neatly written in ink in the record book, leaving a mar- gin for corrections. After they are ap- 34 The Parliamentarian proved they may be corrected at any time. The minutes should be signed by the Secretary and written in a bound book, and separate minute books should be provided for the minutes of the meet- ingfe of the Board of Directors and of the Society. Minutes are a record of actions taken and should only be read to the body whose actions they record. If the Secretary is absent the person acting as Secretary must sign the minutes as Secretary pro tern. Under no circimi- stances should criticism of what is said appear in the minutes. If a Society desires to keep a record of speeches delivered before it, a Recorder should be appointed to take notes on the speeches, and they should be recorded in a sep- arate book. lo. Corresponding Secretary. The du- ties of a Corresponding Secretary are such as the name indicates. He attends to all the correspondence of the society, sends out all notices, notifies members of their election, keeps the official Parliamentary Procedure 35 list of the members of the club, and at- tends to all clerical work that is not a question of records. 11. Treasurer. The Treasurer has charge of all the funds of the society. He collects and holds the initiation fees and dues, and dispenses them as di- rected by the club. He presents a state- ment at every business meeting, and renders a report once a year. His yearly report, previous to its reception by the club, must go before the Auditing Com- mittee. The Treasurer pays all bills that have been authorized by the club or the Executive Board, but before they are paid they must be approved by the President. 12. Auditing Committee. When the Treasurer's yearly report is completed it is referred to an "auditing committee," consisting of one or two persons, who examine the Treasurer's books and vouchers, and certify on his report that they "have examined his accounts and vouchers and fmd them correct, and the 36 The Parliamentarian balance on hand is," etc., stating the amount on hand. The Auditing Com- mittee's report being accepted, is equiva- lent to a resolution of the club's to the same effect — namely, that the Treasurer's report is correct. The details of dates and separate payments for the same ob- ject are a hindrance to the Treasurer's statements rendered at the regular meetings, being understood, and are a useless waste of the club's time. They should be left to the Executive Board and the Auditing Committee. 13. Honorary Officers. Honorary Offi- cers are created by the vote of the club, and hold office subject to the will of the club. They cannot vote or hold execu- tive office, and are held exempt from the payment of dues. The same rule applies to honorary members. 14. Order of Business for a Regular Meeting. This order of business is in- serted, together with the necessary re- marks which the Chair should make, in the hope that it may be found useful by inexperienced chairmen. Parliamentary Procedure 37 Call to Order. "The meeting will please come to order." Reading of Minutes. "We will now listen to the minutes of the previous meeting. ' ' After the minutes have been read: "You have heard the minutes; if there are no corrections they will stand approved as read." If they are cor- rected, "With these corrections they will stand approved as read;" to which may be added after a moment's delay, "They are so approved." Statement of Treasurer. ' ' We will now hear the statement of the Treasurer." When the statement has been read the Chair will say: "The statement of the Treasurer will be received as read." Corresponding Secretary. The Chair will ask: "Has the Corresponding Secre- tary anything to bring before the club?" If any is read, it is acted upon. Chairmen of Standing Committees. The Chair inquires whether the Chairmen of the Standing Committees have any reports to make. Such statements are re- corded in the minutes only when they con- tain something of vital interest to the Club. 38 The Parliamentarian Special Committee. If the report of any Special Committee is in order, this is the place to introduce it. Unfinished Business. "Is there any unfinished business to come before the club?" New Business. ' * Any new business ? ' ' Topic of the Day. If there is a topic to be discussed or a paper to be read, this is the proper time. Announcements. Motion to adjourn. 15. Order of Business for Annual Meeting. Call to order. Reading of minutes. Report of President. Report of Recording Secretary. Report of Corresponding Secretary. *Report of Treasurer (read) . Report of Auditing Committee. Report of Treasurer put to vote. Reports of Standing Committees. Reports of Special Committees (if _____any). * Treasurer's report is sometimes presented with the attestation of the Committee on Audit attached. Parliamentary Procedure 39 Unfinished Business. New Business. Election of Officers. Motion to Adjourn. All reports presented at the an- nual meeting must be voted upon. 16. Proper Form of Minutes. The following is a form of minutes which may be employed to record the action taken at a regular meeting, and modified to meet the requirements of other meetings. A regular meeting of the Parliament Club was held on Thursday, April 8, 19 14, at Union Hall, New York City, N. Y. The President, Mr. James Mann, called the meeting to order at 8 p.m. Min- utes of previous meeting read and ap- proved ; statement of Treasurer showing a balance on hand of $315 received as read. The Corresponding Secretary read a let- ter from the President of the Progress Club, congratulating the Parliament Club on the good work they had done along parliamentary lines. Moved by Mr. L., seconded by Mr. R., that the Corresponding Secretary be instructed 40 The Parliamentarian to write a letter of thanks to the Presi- dent of the Progress Club. Carried. The Chairman of the House Committee announced that an electric fan had been placed in the hall assuring better venti- lation. Moved by Mr. R., seconded by Mr. H., that the members of the Parlia- ment Club be requested to be in their places at. 10.30 A. M. Carried. The Committee on Procedure then took charge of the meeting, and the Chairman, Mr, K., gave an interesting talk on the 'Relative Value of Law and Order.' Moved by Mr. J., seconded by Mr. X.,that the meeting do now adjourn. Carried. Meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, James Brown. Recording Secretary. 17. Executive Board. In the organ- ization of every Society provisions are made under the Law, for the holding of an annual election at which time certain members are elected to attend to the business of the organization. These when elected form an Executive Board. It may be called a Board of Directors Parliamentary Procedure 41 or a Board of Trustees; any name that is chosen should preserve the word " Board " in order to differentiate from that of ** Committee," as a committee cannot attend to executive work and no Executive Board can be called a Com- mittee. All members must be elected by ballot. The entire Board may be elected by ballot annually, or it may be elected in alternating periods. In the latter case the State Law should be con- sulted so that the terms of office for each set of Directors shall be properly fixed. It is allowable for certain members of the Board to be named for certain offices when elected, but the better way is to have the officers chosen annually by the Board from its own number. At all meetings of the Board the President pre- sides. Attendance at these meetings is restricted to members of the Board. Dis- cussions in a Board of Directors are con- sidered confidential, and nothing that is heard at that time shoiild be repeated. Any business necessary to allow the work of the Society to be done, and the provisions of the Constitution and By- 42 The Parliamentarian laws to be carried out, is the work of the Executive Board. 1 8. Introduction of Business. All business should be brought before the assembly by a motion of a member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. When motions are neces- sary in order to facilitate routine busi- ness, the Chair may dispense with the formality of having any mover and seconder. In that case he suggests the proper motion, and, if there are no ob- jections, it is passed by tacit consent. Before a member can make a motion or speak on any subject, he must obtain the floor. To do this he must rise and ad- dress the Chair. If the presiding officer is a gentleman, he must say, "Mr. Chair- man," or "Mr. President," as the case may be. If the presiding officer is a lady, he substitutes "Madam" for "Mr." The Chair recognizes the mem- ber by repeating his name. If the name is not known he must ask for it. When the name is repeated the member has been recognized and has a right to speak. Parliamentary Procedure 43 If two or more members rise at the same time, the Chair must decide who is en- titled to the floor, which he does by announcing that member's name. From this decision of the Chair, any two mem- bers may appeal (See 67). When the Chair is in doubt as to who is entitled to the floor, he can allow the assembly to decide the matter by vote. In deciding whom to recognize, the Chair should be guided by the following principles: (i) The member who made the motion has the first right to the floor to speak to his motion. ( 2 ) A member who has already spoken to the motion cannot be recog- nized unless no one else desires the floor. (3) Under the rules of parliamentary procedure, the floor must be accorded alternately to the aflirmative and nega- tive. After the floor has been assigned to a member he cannot be interrupted by anybody, except (i) to have a motion to reconsider, entered on the minutes, (2) a question of order, (3) an objection to the consideration of the question (4) a call for the orders of the day, or a ques- tion of privilege. A member who ob- 44 The Parliamentarian tains the floor and desires to make a motion says, "I move/' and then states his motion. If it is not seconded it is not noticed by the Chair. If it is sec- onded it is at once repeated by the Chair. When a motion is made it is a suggestion; any member present, with the consent of the mover, may suggest a change in the wording. After it is sec- onded it becomes a motion, and the word- ing can only be changed with the consent of the mover and seconder. When it is repeated by the Chair it becomes the question before the house, and the word- ing can only be changed with the con- sent of the house. (See 59.) Amotion that has once been repeated by the Chair is the property of the house, and can only be withdrawn with their con- sent. It is also the question before the house and must be disposed of before another question, or Main Motion can be introduced. As soon as a motion has been given the assembly, it is in order for the mover to speak to his motion. He should state why he made it and what effect he considers it will have if passed. Parliamentary Procedure 45 If the mover of a motion is not pre- pared to speak to it and explain why it was introduced, it is ruled out of order. It is necessary first, that a motion be made by a member who has the floor; second, that it be seconded; and third, that it be stated by the presiding officer. When it is moved it is a suggestion; when seconded, it becomes a motion; when repeated by the Chair it is the question before the house. A presi- dent has a right to request that all motions be submitted in writing. He can also request the Recording Secretary to read the motions submitted. While, generally speaking, all mo- tions require to be seconded there are a few exceptions: Call for the Orders of the Day; a Question of Order; an Objection to the Consideration of a Question; and purely routine motions. In the last instance, the presiding officer merely announces that, if no objection is made, such will be considered the action of the assembly. 19. Main Motion. A Principal or Main Question is a motion made to bring be- 46 The Parliamentarian fore the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. A Main Motion can only be introduced once during a session. It yields to all Privileged, Inci- dental, Subsidiary and Miscellaneous Motions ; it takes precedence of nothing. All business is introduced by means of a motion and this motion is called the Main Question or Main Motion. All motions we know are questions that remain before an assembly until some conclusion is arrived at. A Principal or Main Motion is one that suggests action and therefore yields to all motions that directly refer to it, and do not call for different action. A club may have but one Main Motion before it at one time. 20. Subsidiary Motions. — Motions are classified as Subsidiary, Incidental, and Privileged. The more unimportant a motion is the more highly is it privileged. The Main Motion is the most important, and it yields to all the other motions. Next in importance rank the Subsidiary Motions. They are: Parliamentary Procedure 47 To Lay on the Table. The Previous Question, To Postpone to a Certain Time. To Commit. To Amend. To Postpone Indefinitely. Any of these motions (except to amend) may be made when one of a lower order has the floor. In the follow- ing cases they can be applied to each other. When the motion to Postpone to a Certain Day is before the house, the Previous Question may be applied to it without affecting the Main Question. When a Main Question and an amend- ment are before the house, the Previous Question may be applied to the amend- ment without effecting the Main Motion. The motions to Postpone to a Certain Day, to Commit and to Amend, may be amended; a motion to Amend the min- utes may be laid on the table without carrying the minutes with it. 21. To Lay on the Table. The motion to Lay on the Table being the most highly privileged of all the Subsidiary 48 The Parliamentarian motions, takes precedence of the others. It may be moved after the Previous Question is before the house, provided the result of the vote on the Previous Ques- tion has not been announced. It yields to any Privileged or Incidental Ques- tion. It is not debatable, and an affirma- tive vote on it cannot be reconsidered. If carried it removes the question before the house from its consideration until such time as the assembly vote to take it up again. When a member desires to make this motion he says: "I move to lay the question on the table." When it is desired to take it off the table and bring the question before the house again, a motion is made — "That the question be taken from the table." This motion is undebatable and cannot have any other subsidiary motion applied to it. Its object is to postpone the subject in such a way that it can be taken up at any time, either at the same, or at some future meeting, which could not be ac- complished by the use of a motion to postpone. Some hold the erroneous opinion that a motion once tabled can- Parliamentary Procedure 49 not be brought up in the same session. This is not so ; a motion may be taken off the table at any time, provided the assembly so vote. When this motion is carried it removes from the considera- tion of the assembly, not only the ques- tion on which it is moved, but all ques- tions connected with that question. If a Main Motion is before the house and an amendment to the Main Motion has been moved, the motion to lay on the table, if carried, would table not only the Main Motion but the amendment. To this rule there are certain exceptions. An appeal from the decision of the Chair, if tabled, has the effect of sustaining the Chair for the time being at least, and does not table the original subject. When a motion to reconsider is laid on the table, the original motion is left just where it was before the reconsideration was moved. An amendment to the minutes may be laid on the table without carrying the minutes with it.* This motion is very valuable w^hen it is desired to defer action until a more propitious * See Appendix. 50 The Parliamentarian time, but the majority should remember that the minority may stay until the moment of final adjournment, and then be in the majority and take up and act upon the motion laid on the table.* 2 2. The Previous Question. The sec- ond of the Subsidiary Motions is the Previous Question. This motion takes precedence of every debatable question. It yields to Privileged and Incidental Questions and to the Subsidiary Motion to Lay on Table. It is undebatable, can- not be amended or have any other Sub- sidiary Motion applied to it; it requires a two-thirds vote, and if carried, the de- bate is instantly closed, and the assem- bly vote at once on the pending business. A member may submit a resolution and at once call for the Previous Question on the resolution. When a member calls for the Previous Question, and the call is seconded, the Chair must at once say: "The Previous Question has been moved and seconded; all those in favor of closing the debate will say aye," after the ayes have been counted, which usually requires a standing vote, the Chair will * See Appendix. . Parliamentary Procedure 51 the ayes have been counted, which usually requires a standing vote, the Chair will say, " Those opposed will say no." If the motion is lost, the discussion con- tinues as if no motion had been made ; if the motion is carried, the pending question is at once put to vote without further debate. Another form of putting the Previous Question is: "It is moved and seconded that debate shall now cease." Presiding officers should be sure that the meaning of this motion is clearly under- stood before it is put to vote. Often the motion is carried and then the as- sembly feel indignant because further remarks are not in order. Another com- mon error is to think that an affirmative vote on the Previous Question is an af- firmative vote on the pending question, or vice versa. The Previous Question is simply an expression of the will of the assembly as to their readiness to close debate on the question they are discuss- ing. When the Previous Question is carried, the motion that the house has been discussing, which is called "the pending business," is at once put to 52 The Parliamentarian vote. If a motion had been introduced in regard to arranging for an annual dinner, and after a certain amount of dis- cussion, the Previous Question was called for and carried, the question of the dinner would immediately be put to vote. If an amendment has been proposed to the motion in regard to the dinner and the Previous Question is carried, its effect is exhausted on the amendment unless the mover included the main motion when moving the Previous Question. If the motion to Commit is before the house and the Previous Question is introduced and carried its effect is exhausted on the motion to Commit. After the Previous Question has been carried up to the time the last vote is taken under it the motion to Lay on the Table is in order. The motion to Reconsider may be ap- plied to the Previous Question before any vote has been taken imder it. The Previous Question is the only means a member has at his command to stop debate or to ascertain if debatfe can be stopped. . Parliamentary Procedure 53 If the Chair feels that discussion has lasted long enough, he may say " Are you ready for the question? " If no one rises to obtain the floor or no protest of any kind is made, the motion under discussion is immediately put to vote; if any member of the assembly protests against discussion being closed the dis- cussion must continue. It is never in order for a member of an assembly to call out " question"; the only method a member of an assembly may employ to endeavor to close discussion and bring the pending business to a vote, is to move the Previous Question. In former years the Previous Question when carried was not exhausted imtil all business before the house was put to vote. To illustrate, if a main motion was under discussion and an amend- ment to it was introduced and then an amendment to the amendment, the Previous Question if carried would not be exhausted until the amend- ment to the amendment, the amend- ment, and the main motion had been voted upon. Under the present rules 54 The Parliamentarian as established by the United States Congress, the Previous Question is ex- hausted when the pending business is put to vote. To use the example given above, the effect of the Previous Question at the present time would be exhausted when the amendment to the amend- ment was put to vote unless the mover of the Previous Question stated when intro- ducing the motion that he wished it to affect the series of motions before the house. The Previous Question is a motion founded on the Parliamentary Rule that a two-thirds vote of the assembly con- trols discussion, and the object of the motion is to ascertain if two-thirds of the assembly are ready to vote on the pend- ing business. Before the Previous Question is put to vote the Chair should always explain the effect it will have, whether it will only bring one motion to a vote or whether it will effect a series. 23. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This is the third of the Subsidiary Mo- tions. It takes precedence of the mo- Parliamentary Procedure 55 tions to Commit, or Amend, or Indefi- nately Postpone. It yields to any Privi- leged or Incidental Motion and to the first two of the Subsidiary Motions, to Lay on the Table and the Previous Ques- tion. It may be amended by altering the time. It admits of a short debate on the advisability of the postponement. The Previous Question can be applied to it without affecting other pending busi- ness. The form of this motion is: "I move that the further consideration of this question be postponed until (here state time)." If car;ried, the considera- tion of the question is deferred until the time specified when it becomes part of the Orders of the Day, and is taken up under unfinished business and takes preference of everything except a Privi- leged Question. If a motion to consider the question at once can be carried by a two-thirds vote before the time set by the motion to postpone, the postpone- ment is set aside and the question is con- sidered at once. It is not in order to postpone to a time beyond the limits of the session. When this motion is in- troduced at a meeting of a society which 56 The Parliamentarian does not hold regular meetings, the date of the next meeting must be ascertained before the motion is put. If a special meeting is to be called, and it is desired to postpone the consideration of a question until then, the date of the special meet- ing must be ascertained before the mo- tion to postpone is framed. When a question is presented about which very little is known, it is often wise to move a postponement with a view to obtaining information in regard to the subject. It is a motion that delays action. 24. To Commit, or Refer. It is usual in deliberative assemblies to have all pre- liminary work, necessary to prepare for the action they desire to take, done by committees. All committees are cre- ated under the Subsidiary Motion To Commit, unless they are created under the requirements of a constitution. To Commit, is the fourth of the Subsidiary Questions and takes precedence of the motions to Amend or To Postpone In- definitely. It yields to any Privileged or Incidental Question, and to the Sub- sidiary Motions To Lay on the Table, Parliamentary Procedure 57 The Previous Question, and to Postpone to a Certain Day. It can be amended by altering the number of the committee or inserting instructions to guide it in the manner in which its work shall be con- ducted, or by defining its powers. It is debatable only on the advisability of com- mitting the main motion. If the matter has already been in the hands of a committee, this motion is to Recommit. The form of this motion is, "I move that the question before us be referred to a committee." The mo- tion can be so worded as to define the number of the committee and the method of its appointment, as follows: " I move that the question before us be referred to a committee of five to be appointed by the Chair." If the motion does not state the number of the committee and the method of its appointment, the Chair should ask "What is the pleasure of the house in regard to the number of the committee and the method of its appointment." He may say, "Of how many shall the committee consist?" "By what method shall they be appointed?" 58 The Parliamentarian When committees are appointed by the Chair, the first person named is Chairman unless the committee, by a majority vote of its members, elect another chairman. If a committee is appointed- by the Chair, the Chairman may be specified and no change can be made by the committee. Sometimes the Chair has power to appoint a chairman and allow him to choose his own committee. If the committee is nominated by the house, no member may nominate more than one name unless by general consent. If only the necessary number of names are nominated by the house they may be put to vote collectively as follows: "As many as are in favor of these gentle- men constituting the committee will say aye." If the nominations made are more than the number decided upon for the committee, the names are voted upon singly, or preferably, by the filling of blanks (63). Committees, as a gen- eral rule, should consist of an odd num- ber, but there are many exceptions. If for action, they should be small, if for deliberation, they should be large. When Parliamentary Procedure 59 the number of which a committee should consist is being discussed by the house, the smallest number suggested is always voted upon first. Committees are of three kinds, (i) Committee of the Whole (see 87); (2) Standing Committees (see 90); (3) Special Committees (see 91). Discussions in regard to delicate and troublesome questions should be con- fined to committees, and kept, as much as possible, from the floor of the open meeting. A committee is in all cases the creature of the assembly that cre- ates it, and can in no case exceed its in- structions. In some constitutions the president is made ex-officio a member of all committees. This permits but does not require that a president act as member of committees. The President is not a member of any committee except by virtue of a special rule, unless he is so appointed by the assembly. To dis- charge a committee without notice re- quires a two-thirds vote. 25. To Amend. This motion takes precedence of nothing but the question it is proposed to amend. It yields to 6o The Parliamentarian all Privileged and Incidental Questions, and to the Subsidiary Questions, — To Lay on the Table, The Previous Ques- tion, To Postpone to a Certain Day, and To Commit. It takes precedence of the sixth Subsidiary Question, To Post- pone Indefinitely. It may be applied to all motions which may be amended. (See list at the end of next section.) It may be amended, but this amendment of an amendment cannot be amended. An amendment must be germane to the sense of the motion it is intended to amend; but it may conflict with the spirit of the original motion. A motion to authorize the expenditure of fifty dol- lars for a rug may be amended to author- ize the expenditure of fifty dollars for some other article of furniture. An amendment may be made by adding, inserting, or striking out, or by a com- bination of any or all of these three methods. When a motion is presented to take the place of the one before the house, it is called a substitution and can only be moved as a first amend- ment. Any number of amendments may be made one by one, but only one Parliamentary Procedure 6i amendment, and one amendment to that amendment may be before the house at the same time. A question can only be amended in one place at one time; it is not possible to amend a question in different places at the same time. A first amendment may be amended, but the amendment must be an amendment to the first amendment and not another amendment to the main motion. To illustrate, if it had been moved "That the House Com- mittee be authorized to buy a rug," and a first amendment had been moved, to the effect, "The cost not to exceed fifty dollars," the second amendment, or more properly the amendment to the amend- ment, must be confined strictly to this question of cost. The following rule may be found helpful: "The second amendment must bear the same rela- tion to the first amendment as does the letter B to the letters A and C, and not the relation that W bears to A and C." The amendment to the amendment is primarily an amendment to the first amendment and only secondarily (that is to say, through the medium of the 62 The Parliamentarian first amendment) an amendment to the main question. An amendment when it is moved is a suggested change in the wording of a motion, a change which may conflict with the spirit but must be germane to the subject of the motion it is intended to amend. When an amendment is carried it at once becomes an integral part of the motion it amends. An amendment once agreed upon by the assembly cannot be further amended. To illustrate: If our Main Motion consist of the letters A and B and it is moved that C be inserted between A and B, and the amendment is carried, C cannot afterwards be amended, because it has been agreed to in that form, and, so, if it is moved to leave out B, and that amendment is carried, B cannot afterwards be amended, because that would be in the nature of a vote to set aside the will of the house. The only method to be pursued in either of the above cases is to move a reconsideration on the amendment. As the assembly is not necessarily obliged to consider a question merely because it is regularly moved and seconded, it is Parliamentary Procedure 63 consequently possible, with the consent of the house, to allow an entirely differ- ent motion to be substituted for the one before them, provided the first one has not been discussed. When a question consists of two or more distinct propositions it is in the power of the house to have the question divided and to consider the propositions separately. This is called "A division of the Question" and is one form of amendment. To illustrate : If a motion was before the house calling for the appointment of a conmiittee to arrange an entertainmicnt with power to spend a certain sum of money, it might be moved that the question be divided and the feasibility of placing the matter of the entertainment in the hands of a committee be first considered and then the amount to be expended. When a question is divided the different propo- sitions are voted upon separately. When a date is to be decided upon or a Slim of money, the form of amend- ment called the filling of blanks is used. Each member receives a piece of paper and writes on it the date or sum pre- 64 The Parliamentarian ferred. Then the vote is taken on the different siims and dates proposed; the smallest sum is voted on first and the latest date. Nominations are often de- cided upon by this method, the nominees whose names appear the oftenest on the papers being ratified as the choice of the Society. This method of obtaining nom- inations is sometimes erroneously re- ferred to as an informal ballot, which is a misnomer. 26. An Amendment to a Constitution and By-laws requires previous notice and two-thirds vote, unless the instru- ment provide some other method for its own amendment. Organizations hold- ing infrequent meetings often consider it wise to provide that the By-laws may be amended by a unanimous vote with- out previous notice. An amendment to a Constitution or By-laws cannot be enforced to affect action already agreed upon. To illustrate: If a club has made arrangements to hold an election and the nominees have been decided upon, no amendment affecting their eligibility to hold office could be enforced. Any amendment in regard to Parliamentary Procedure 65 the eligibility of the members to hold office passed after a ticket has been accepted cannot affect the nominees on that ticket. An amendment to a Con- stitution or By-laws cannot be passed and acted upon at the same meeting, but By- laws may be amended and the amendment take effect at the same meeting, provided the amendment is one that does not inter- fere with the rights or privileges of any of the members. Any proposed amendment to a Constitution or By-laws should be submitted to a legal authority to insure of its being within the State Law, as any part of a Constitution or By-laws, which is contrary to the Law is invalid. The following motions cannot be amended : To Adjourn (when unqualified). A Call for the Orders of the Day. Incidental Questions. To Lay on the Table. The Previous Question. An Amendment to an Amendment. To Postpone Indefinitely. To Reconsider. 27. To Postpone Indefinitely. This is the sixth of the Subsidiary Questions. It 66 The Parliamentarian takes precedence of nothing but the Main Motion and yields to any Privi- leged or Incidental Question, and to the Subsidiary Questions, To Lay on the Table, the Previous Question, to Post- pone to a Certain Day and to Commit. It can be applied to nothing but a Ques- tion of Privilege and the Main Motion. It cannot be amended. When this mo- tion is made it brings the question which it is proposed to postpone before the house for discussion. When this motion is carried it removes the question indefinitely postponed from before the house for the remainder of the session. It is, in fact, equivalent to having the question defeated. When this motion is pending and the Previous Question is called for, the effect of the Previous Question is limited to the motion to Post- pone Indefinitely. 28. Incidental Questions. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of ques- tions that present themselves in the course of the meeting and consequently take precedence of, and are decided before, the questions which give rise to Parliamentary Procedure 67 them. They yield to Privileged Ques- tions and cannot be amended. They are undebatable with the exception of the first, which under certain circum- stances is open to debate. They are: Questions of Order and Appeal. Objection to the Consideration of the Question. The Reading of Papers. Withdrawal of a Motion. Suspension of the Rules. 29. Questions of Order and Appeal. A question of order naturally takes prece- dence of the question giving rise to it, and must be decided by the presiding officer without debate. When a member thinks that the business before the assembly is being conducted in an unparliamentary manner, he rises in his place and ad- dresses the Chair, saying, "I rise to a point of order." He is then asked to state his point of order, which he does. The presiding officer at once rules on the question of order. If his ruling is unpleasing to the member, he can say, "I appeal from the decision of the Chair." If the appeal is seconded it 68 The Parliamentarian may be put to vote as follows, " Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the assembly? " or, " Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" (The word *' club " may be used instead of " assembly.") This vote is usually a standing vote, but it may be taken by acclamation. (See 107.) An appeal, if debatable, may be given the assembly to decide. In that case the presiding offi- cer asks for expressions of opinion, and states the reasons upon which he bases his decision without leaving the chair. When an Appeal relates simply to indecorum, or to the priority of busi- ness, or if it is made while the Previous Question is pending, it is undebatable. When an appeal is debatable, the motion to Lay on the Table can be applied to it ; but if this motion is carried and the appeal is tabled, the original subject before the house is not tabled. (See 49.) The Previous Question can also be applied to an appeal that is open to debate, and the effect of the Previous Question is exhausted on the appeal. The vote on an appeal may be recon- sidered. When an appeal is being dis- Parliamentary Procedure 69 cussed no member of the house may- speak more than once. In all cases the presiding officer should not put an appeal to vote until he is assured that the house clearly understands the ques- tion at issue, and this is true of all ques- tions. After the vote is taken the pre- siding officer announces that the decision of the Chair is sustained, or re versed, ^as the case may be. It is the duty of the presiding officer to preserve order and enforce parHamentary law. He should always be supported by the house unless it is seen that his conduct is willfully unjust and arbitrary; or that he is using his position as presiding officer to carry out his own will and not the will of the assembly. 30. Objection to the Consideration of a Question. If a question presented to the assembly is displeasing to any member, or there is a member present who feels that the question should not be discussed by the house, he may Object to the Consideration of the Question. This objection must be moved as soon as the question has been 70 The Parliamentarian repeated by the Chair; if any one has spoken to the motion the objection is not in order. It does not require to be seconded and may be made while another member has the floor. It cannot foe debated or amended, or have any other Subsidiary Question appHed to it. When an objection is moved it is worded as follows: *' I object to the consideration of the question . ' ' The Chair immediately puts the question to vote, but as allmotions must be in the affirmative, he says, " All those in favor of the consideration of the question will say aye.'' A majority vote either affirmative or negative causes the objection to be lost. A two-thirds negative vote sustains the objection and dismisses the consideration of the motion objected to for that session. A negative vote on this motion may be reconsidered but not an affirmative vote. If the objection is sustained the whole matter is dismissed for that session; if the objection is lost the question is at once discussed. The motion is not used to cut off debate, but to avoid the discussion of questions which promise to create contention, or are irrelevant. Parliamentary Procedure 71 31. Reading of Papers. Any matter coming before the assembly for settle- ment must be plainly stated before it is voted upon. If it is in the form of a paper any member may request to have it read, or reread, if he is in need of further information. If the request is plainly to obtain information, the Chair should grant it, or sustain the request. If, however, a member desires to take up the time of the assembly with a speech, or a paper that has no part in the Orders of the Day, or if a stranger desires to be heard on any subject, the consent of the house must be obtained. If there is one objection to the time being awarded to any speaker whose speech or paper is not part of the Orders of the Day, it must be put to vote. The time at all meetings belongs to the assembly and can only be allotted with its consent. It agrees to carry out the Orders of the Day, but nothing further can be intro- duced without its consent. 32. Withdrawal of a Motion. After a motion has been repeated by the Chair it becomes the question before the 72 The Parliamentarian house and can only be withdrawn by the consent of the house. If the mover of the motion desires to withdraw his motion, he may ask the Chair if he will be permitted to do so. The Chair at once puts the question to the house as follows : * * If there is no objection Mr will be permitted to withdraw his mo- tion." If there is an objection, then the question of withdrawal must be put to vote. This motion cannot be de- bated or amended. The consent of the seconder does not have to be obtained specifically. He can object to the with- drawal of the motion as can any other member of the house. One objection necessitates a vote. When a motion is withdrawn no mention is made of it in the minutes. 33. Suspension of the Rules. When it is desired that any rule governing the meeting should be suspended it must be moved and seconded and put to vote. This motion applies only to standing rules. It is never possible to suspend, even by unanimous vote, any provision of the Constitution or By-Laws. An Parliamentary Procedure 73 assembly may suspend any rule that they have seen fit to adopt to facilitate the conduct of their meetings by a two- thirds vote. This motion is not deba- table and cannot be amended, no Sub- sidiary Question can be applied to it, a vote on it cannot be reconsidered, nor can a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed at the same meeting. If a rule exists that confers a right on a minority of the assembly, said rule cannot be set aside except by unanimous consent. The form of this motion is, "I move to sus- pend the rule for (here state time if necessary) which interferes with, etc.," here state purpose of desired suspension. When assemblies adopt Standing Rules it is wise to have them provide for their own suspension. 34. Privileged Questions. These ques- tions are very highly privileged be- cause they are, as a rule, quickly dis- posed of. They take precedence of all other questions, and are undebatable unless they relate to the rights of the assembly or its members. They are: 74 The Parliamentarian To Fix the Time to which the Assem- bly shall Adjourn. To Adjourn. Question Relating to Rights and Priv- ileges of the Assembly or its Members. Call for the Orders of the Day. 35. To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn. This motion is very highly privileged and takes pre- cedence of all other motions. It may be made when a motion to Adjourn is before the house, provided the result of the vote on the motion to Adjourn has not been announced. If it is made when another motion is before the house it is undebatable. If no other motion is before the house it is debatable. It may be amended by altering the time. The form of the motion is, "I move that the assembly adjourn to meet at — " (here state time). Another form is, "I move that when this assembly adjourns, it adjourns to meet at — " (here state time). 36. To Adjourn. This motion takes precedence of all motions except the Parliamentary Procedure 75 motion To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjotirn. It is not debatable and cannot be amended, al- though the preceding motion may be substituted for it. No Subsidiary Ques- tion can be applied to it nor can a vote on it be reconsidered. If it is qualified in any way it loses its privileged charac- ter, and stands on the same footing as any Main Question. If it were moved that the assembly should adjourn after the program were completed the motion would be qualified and would therefore admit of debate and lose its privileged character. When a motion to Adjourn is carried before the business of the meeting is concluded, the business thus interrupted is the first thing in order after the reading of the minutes at the next meeting. An adjourned meeting is legally the continuation of the meet- ing of which it is an adjournment. When a meeting is adjourned before the business before it is finished, and that meeting closes the session, the unfinished business may be introduced at the next session as new business on the same footing as if it had never been 76 The Parliamentarian before the assembly. A motion to Adjourn cannot be made when another has the floor, nor can it be introduced when a vote is being taken ; but it is in order after the vote on any motion has been taken and before the result of the vote is announced. A motion to Ad- journ may be renewed provided there has been intervening business, as can any motion other than a Main Motion. 37. Questions of Privilege. Questions relating to the rights and privileges of the assembly or its members, are called Questions of Privilege. These are in order at any time that a member can obtain the floor, and take precedence of all other questions excepting the mo- tions to Fix the Time to Adjourn, and To Adjourn. When a Question of Privilege is stated the Chair at once decides whether it is a Question of Privilege or not. From his decision any two members may appeal. If the question is one requiring immediate action, it can interrupt a- member's speech. When a member desires to pre- sent a Question of Privilege, and has Parliamentary Procedure 77 obtained the floor, he says, "I rise to a Question of Privilege." The Chair re- quests him to state his question and then decides what shall be done with it. If the question is admitted, it may be decided at once by the Chair, or it may be debated; the character of the ques- tion would decide these points. A Ques- tion of Privilege, when debatable, may be laid on the table, referred to a committee, or have any other Subsidiary Question applied to it. In such a case the effect of the Subsidiary Question is exhausted on the Question of Privilege, without affecting any other question which may have been interrupted by the Question of Privilege. When some decision has been reached in regard to the Question of Privilege, the assembly resumes the con- sideration of the question which it inter- rupted. This motion must not be con- fused with Privileged Questions (see 73), the latter include this motion and sev- eral more. Questions of Privilege which involve the rights of the assembly take precedence over those that simply in- volve the rights of a member of the assembly. 78 The Parliamentarian ^S. Orders of the Day. The order of business or program, which an assembly- has agreed to carry out, becomes the Order of the Day. If the presiding offi- cer allows them to be set aside any member may call for the Orders of the Day or, in other words, ask that the order of business agreed upon be carried out. This motion does not require to be seconded. A call for the Orders of the Day' takes precedence of all other ques- tions, excepting to Reconsider, to Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn, to Adjourn, and Questions of Privilege. It is undebatable, cannot be amended, and is in order when another member has the floor. Orders of the Day are divided into two classes, Special Orders, and General Orders. A regular Order of business would come under the head of a Special Order, and a call for the carrying out of the regular Order of business would take precedence over a call for the General Orders. These last refer to questions, the consideration of which have been deferred until a certain time, or to the carrying out of a pro- Parliamentary Procedure 79 gram. General Orders cannot interfere with the established rules of the assem- bly. It is customary for every club or society to adopt a regular order of business, and this would come under the head of Special Orders. A program that a club or society may adopt which calls for the reading of papers, or some other form of entertainment, would come under the head of General Orders. Both Special and General Orders are included in this motion, and if the Orders of the Day are called it simply means that the member wants the business which is in order at the time the call is made to be brought before the assembly. As has been previously stated, the time of the assembly cannot be taken up, excepting in such a manner as it has previously agreed upon, without its consent. The proper form of this mo- tion is, "I call for the Orders of the Day." In this, as in all cases, the floor must first be obtained. The motion is put as follows: "Shall the Orders of the Day be taken up ? " or " Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day? 8o The Parliamentarian Those in favor will say aye. Those op- posed will say no." If the assembly is carrying out a program that specifies the hour at which each question shall be considered, it is not always necessary to put the motion to vote, as the Chair may take it for granted that the assem- bly desires to abide by their program. One objection would, however, necessi- tate a vote. The effect of this motion is to remove the question under consid- eration from before the assembly as if it had been interrupted by an adjourn- ment. A two-thirds vote of the assembly can set aside the orders of the Day until the miatter under discussion is disposed of. 39. Miscellaneous Motions. The Mis- cellaneous Motions are motions that refer to action already taken, and are introduced with a view to set aside or modify said action. They are: Rescind. Renewal of a Motion. Reconsider. 40. Rescind. When an assembly de- sires to withdraw from some course of action they have decided to pursue, and Parliamentary Procedure . 8i it is too late to Reconsider, the only- alternative is to Rescind. This motion has no privilege, but stands on the same footing as a new motion. Any action that involves the society in a contract with an innocent third party cannot be rescinded without his consent. A mo- tion may be rescinded regardless of the time that has elapsed. When it is de- sired not only to Rescind an action, but to express very strong disapproval, the assembly may vote to Rescind the action and have it expunged from the minutes . If this is carried, a line is drawn around or through the record of the action taken in the minutes, and across this record is written, "Expunged by order of the assembly." The form of this motion is: "I move that (here state action) be rescinded." When this mo- tion is carried the action is annulled. Any action that has been partially car- ried out cannot be Rescinded.* 41. Renew. A Main Question, or Main Motion, may not come before the assembl^^ more than once in the course * See Appendix. 82 The Parliamentarian of a session, and when a motion to Re- consider a Main Question has been once acted upon, the Motion to Recon- sider that same question cannot be renewed unless the motion was amended when it was reconsidered. All other motions can be renewed provided other business has intervened. To this rule there are some exceptions. A call for the Orders of the Day cannot be renewed on the same order, nor can the Suspension of the Rules be renewed on the same rule, the motion to Amend cannot be renewed. A motion that has been withdrawn may be renewed because it has never been acted upon. To illus- trate: If a Main Question is being dis- cussed, and it is moved that it shall be laid on the table, and the motion is lost, the motion to Lay on the Table may be renewed provided other business has intervened. In the same way any motion not a Main Motion may be renewed. The exceptions to this rule are noted above. 42. Reconsider. This motion is high- ly privileged and is in order even another member has the floor. It Parliamentary Procedure 83 must be moved on the day the motion was acted upon that the reconsideration refers to, or the day after. It must be made, unless the vote was by ballot, by a member who voted upon the prevailing side. No question can be twice recon- sidered unless it was amended after the first reconsideration. If a motion has been amended it is not in order to move a reconsideration of the vote on the amendment until the original motion has been reconsidered. If the Previous Question has been partly executed, it cannot be reconsidered. If the assem- bly has taken action that cannot be reversed as a result of a vote on some question, that question cannot be recon- sidered. The motion is debatable just so far as the question reconsidered is debatable. The Previous Question may be applied to the motion to Reconsider, but its effect is exhausted on that motion and does not effect the motion which it is desired to reconsider. It may be laid on the table without carrying the pending measure with it. When a member who has voted upon the pre- vailing side desires to move a reconsid- 84 The Parliamentarian eration he rises, and after he has ob- tained the floor, says, "I move to Reconsider the vote on — " (here state the question to be reconsidered). The member may rise and move the recon- sideration while another member has the floor, and it is entered on the min- utes. When the business before the house, at the time the reconsideration was moved, is terminated, the recon- sideration may be called up and acted upon. The effect of making this motion is to suspend all action on the original motion until the reconsideration is acted upon. It may be called up at the same meeting at which it was made, or at any meeting during the session.* If it is not called up its effect termi- nates with the session. When a motion to Reconsider is carried it opens up the entire question as if there had been no previous action. When a question comes up for reconsideration no one who discussed the question when the first vote was taken may speak when it is reconsidered. His only redress is to speak when the question as to * See Appendix. Parliamentary Procedure 85 whether it shall be reconsidered is being discussed. This motion, if carried, re- quires two votes to arrive at the ter- mination of its effect. First the vote is taken on the reconsideration, and if that is decided upon, the question reconsid- ered must be discussed and voted upon. As has been stated, the reconsideration of a question may be moved and entered in the minutes on the day the motion it is desired to reconsider was passed, or the next day. It is possible to call it up on that day or leave it to be called up at some future meeting, but its effect does not extend beyond the session. To this rule there are two exceptions: the re- consideration of an Incidental, or Sub- sidiary, Question shall be immediately acted upon, as otherwise it would pre- vent action on the Main Question. Votes on the following motions cannot be reconsidered: Lay on the Table or Take from the Table; Suspension of the Rules; Take a Recess; and Reconsider. Affirmative votes cannot be reconsidered on motions To amend, Repeal, or Adopt Constitution or By-laws, or Order of the Day. 86 The Parliamentarian 43. Committees. Parliamentary Law provides for three kinds of committees: 1 . The Committee of the Whole. 2. The Standing Committee. 3. The Special Committee. Committees are as a rule created under the Subsidiary Motion to Commit, but Standing Committees are often created under the requirements of a constitution. A committee is always subordinate to. the body that appoints it, and to whom it re- ports. Its powers are defined by the mo- tion that appoints it and it can take no independent action. It is therefore mani- fest that there is something illogical and misleading in vesting a committee with executive powers. A club or society should be governed by an Executive or Governing Board, not a Committee. All committees render a report. The Com- mittee of the Whole generally reports verbally. Standing Committees report in writing at the annual meeting. Spe- cial Committees report at the will of the house. A committee is a miniature as- sembly appointed to special well-defined work, it must meet in order to take action. Parliamentary Procedure 87 44. Committee of the Whole. When an assembly desires to discuss freely a subject that they do not care to refer to a committee, and yet wish to put in proper form for definite action, it is the practice to refer the matter to the "Committee of the Whole." The form of the motion is, "I move that the (here state name of the club, or simply say assembly) do now resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take under consideration," etc. (here state purpose). This committee is a committee of the whole house, hence its name. When the above motion is moved, seconded and carried, the President immediately names one of the members of the house, and requests him to serve as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole. A chair is pro- vided for the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole. The President takes his place as a member of the Committee and may, or may not, leave his chair, as he thinks best, but no one should ever occupy the chair of the presiding officer when he is present. In large assemblies the Chairman of the Committee of the 88 The Parliamentarian Whole occupies the chair of the Record- ing Secretary. The Recording Secre- tary takes such notes of the proceedings as may seem necessary for the report. Each member may speak as often as he can obtain the floor. The only motions in order are to Recommend, which must be introduced as a Main Motion, to Amend, and to Adopt. If an appeal from the Chair is moved the Subsidiary Questions, to Lay on the Table, and the Previous Question, can be applied to it. The only way to limit debate in the Committee of the Whole is to insert a time limit in the motion that appoints it. When such a time limit is inserted, the Committee cannot extend it. It cannot alter the text of the resolution referred to it for consideration. It can recom- mend alterations, which, if carried, are embodied in its report. When it has sufficiently discussed the subject before it, a motion is in order to the effect "That the Committee do now rise and report." When this motion is carried the presiding officer at once takes the Chair, and calls for the report of the Parliamentary Procedure 89 Committee of the Whole, which is ren- dered by the Chairman. This report should be as follows, "The Committee of the Whole has had under consideration the question submitted to it (here state question), and has come to no conclu- sion;" or, if a conclusion has been reached, the chairman says, "The Com- mittee of the Whole has had under con- sideration the question submitted to it (here state question), and recommends, that the action be taken, report be adopted, motion be passed," with or without amendment, as the case may be. The report of the Committee of the Whole, as the report of every committee expresses what in its judgment had best be done in regard to the question at issue. Its report, if adopted, becomes the will of the assembly (see 96). Should the Committee of the Whole become disorderly, and the Chairman be unable to preserve order, the presid- ing officer can take the chair and declare the Committee dissolved. The Com- mittee of the Whole cannot refer the subject before them to another com- Qo The Parliamentarian mittee. The quorum of the Committee of the Whole is the same as that of the Assembly; if the Committee finds itself without a quorum, it must rise and re- port the fact to the assembly, which in such an event would have to adjourn. The report of the Committee of the Whole is recorded in the minutes, but its proceedings are not. It is generally wise to state in the motion appointing this committee the time over which it shall extend. While any member may speak as often as he can obtain the floor, and as long each time as is allowed speakers in the discussions of the assem- bly, if any one who has not spoken de- sires the floor, he must be recognized by the Chair before one who has already spoken on the point under discussion. Unless so stated in the motion, visitors have no right to speak in the Committee of the Whole, and it is apparent that it would often be out of order to include them. 45. Standing Committees. Standing Committees may be appointed at any Parliamentary Procedure 91 time by motion, but are often appointed under the requirements of a constitution. To them are referred all matters relating to the subjects within their scope. An opportunity should be given at every regular meeting to the chairmen of the Standing Committees to inform the society as to the progress of their work. Standing Committees report at the annual meeting and are disbanded. They are usually appointed at the be- ginning of the session, and are placed in charge of work that extends through the session, as a printing committee, enter- tainment committee-, etc. 46. Special Committees. It is usual and proper that much of the work of deliberative bodies be transacted by means of committees. The Standing Committee is a good medium for the transaction of routine business, but for the investigation of matters that come up in the assembly, where time is lim- ited, the Special Committee is a most valuable agent. This Committee is ap- pointed under the Subsidiary Motion to 92 The Parliamentarian Commit. Its numbers and powers are defined by the assembly; it meets at the call of the chairman and only acts as it meets. All action of a committee must be taken at a regular meeting duly called. No action can be taken by members who did not meet. The con- sent of all individually without a meet- ing will not render valid any action. Unless otherwise provided for, a quorum is a majority. The Chairman of a com- mittee is usually named by the assembly or the Chair, but if no Chairman is desig- nated, the Committee is at liberty to select its own Chairman. As has been stated, the member first named usually acts as Chairman ; the member who made the motion for the appointment of the committee is not by parliamentary law entitled any more than any other mem- ber to be Chairman, or even a member of the Committee. It is of course true that a member making a motion to have a committee appointed for a special object might naturally be supposed to be more interested in that object, and he is often the best choice for Chairman ; Parliamentary Procedure 93 but there is no rule that makes his ap- pointment obligatory. A committee must be furnished with all papers or other matter that may assist it in its work. Its report should be in the shape of a set of resolutions. These must be signed by the Chairman and, if possible, by all the members. If a Chairman summons his committee together on two different occasions, without being able to secure a quorum, and it is neces- sary to render a report at a special date, the Chairman may have the report drawn up but must state in it the fact that a quorum was not obtained and leave the assembly to decide as to whether they will accept such a report, or have the matter Recommitted. Any money col- lected by a committee belongs to the parent body by whom the committee was created. A vote may be reconsidered in a committee regardless of the time which may have elapsed between the taking of the vote and the motion to Reconsider, provided every member who voted on the prevailing side is pres- ent when the reconsideration is moved. 94 The Parliamentarian Under the rules of procedure in England a vote taken in a committee cannot be reconsidered. If the decision of the Chair is appealed from, the appeal may be laid on the table and the Previous Question may be applied to it. When a committee adjourns to meet at a certain time, it is not necessary to notify the absent members, but it is more cour- teous. If the work requires it, a com- mittee may appoint a sub-committee. A committee adopts its own report by vote and may amend it. All reports must be considered paragraph by paragraph and then adopted as a whole. The preamble is considered last. All papers sub- mitted to a committee must be returned intact. If a chairman neglects to call the committee together it is the duty of one or two of the members to do so. 47. Reports of Committees. All com- mittees should render a report in the shape of a set of resolutions. If it is a Standing Committee, their report begins, ' ' The committee on respectfully report," or "beg leave to report." Parliamentary Procedure 95 The report of a Special Committee differs slightly from this. It should begin, "The committee to which was referred having considered the same respectfully report as follows," or, "The undersigned, a committee to which was referred," etc. The report must be signed by the Chairman and, if possible, by all the members. When a committee disagrees as to the nature of its report, the minority may draw up a report. The report of the majority has a right to come before the assembly, the report of the minority is received by courtesy. When a minority report is submitted it should be in this form: "The undersigned, a minority of a com- mittee to which was referred," etc. Reports sometimes conclude with, ''All of which is respectfully submitted." This is not obligatory. Reports should always be headed as follows, "Report of the (here state name) Committee on (here state subject). As "The Report of the Program Committee on Pro- gram." "Report of House Committee on cost of Refurnishing the Assembly 96 The Parliamentarian Hall/' A committee may he able to embody its report in one resolution, A committee's report should generally close with a formal resolution covering all its recommendations, so that the adoption of its report would have the efifect of adopting the resolution neces- sary to carry out its recommendations. 48. Reception of Reports. When an assembly has instructed a committee to report at a certain time its report be- comes part of the Orders of the Day. At the proper moment the Chair calls for the report, and if there is no objection it is read. Any one having very valid grounds for objecting to the reception of the report, can move that its reception be deferred, but this is not in order unless the ground upon which the objec- tion is based makes it appear most inex- pedient to receive the report at that time. If there is no objection the chairman of the committee reads the report, and when it is read it is received. A com- mon error is to move to receive a report after it is read. When a report has been Parliamentary Procedure 97 received, whether it has been read or not, the committee is dissolved, and can act no more. If the committee is re- appointed and the report recommitted, all the parts that have not been agreed to by the assembly are ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made. If any of the members of the committee wish to submit a minority report, it is customary to receive it imme- diately after receiving the report of the committee. When the committee's re- port is only for the information of the assembly, it is not necessary to take any action on it after it is read. When a report that requires action is read, a motion should be made, to "adopt," "accept," or "agree to," the report, all of which, when carried, has the effect of making the doings of the com^mittee the acts of the assembly, the same as if the action had been taken by the assembly without the intervention of a committee. When a report calls for action the motion to "adopt" is used; if it merely contains a statement of facts, the motion to "accept" would be 98 The Parliamentarian in order; and if the report ends with a resolution the proper motion is, "I move to agree to the resolution." The first of these motions is most generally used. As soon as any of these motions are made the report is open to discussion and may be amended. To illustrate: After a report has been read in which actio;n is recommended, the chairman of the committee should move: "I move that the report of (state name of com- mittee) be adopted." When that mo- tion is repeated by the Chair the report is open for discussion, and may be amended. If the report is amended, the words " as amended " should be added v/hen the motion to adopt is put to vote.* When a report is read which seems to require careful consideration and probable amendment, a motion may be made that the report be con- sidered, and if that motion is carried the report comes before the house for consideration, and after it has been discussed, it is in order to adopt or accept the report, as the case may be. * See Appendix, Parliamentary Procedure 99 When a committee reports back a reso- lution which has been referred to it, the Chair should call attention to the fact that the question is on the adoption of the resolution. The committee may or may not recommend the adoption of the resolution, but the question should be stated as above. If the committee recommends that the resolution be indefinitely postponed, the question would be on the postponement; possi- bly the committee recommends an amendment to the resolution. The point to be remembered is that the ques- tion to be decided consists of what the committee recommends in regard to the resolution. It is proper for a member of a committee to make the motion which brings the report before the house. When a committee submits a report containing a number of paragraphs or sections as a Constitution and By- Laws, the whole report should be read through and be brought before the house by motion when it is considered, paragraph by paragraph or article by article, and voted upon as a whole. loo The Parliamentarian (See 21.) The chairman of a committee cannot in any way be deprived of his right to close the discussion on his report. 49. Nominating Committee. In many societies it is customary to have the names of candidates or nominees for the offices to be filled at the annual election, presented to the club in the form of a report of a Nominating Committee. This committee is appointed to ascer- tain the choice of the majority of the members at large, and present as its report, a ticket composed of that choice. If, in order to ascertain the choice of the members, nominating blanks are sent out to be filled in with the names of the candidates preferred, it should be re- membered that some system of identifi- cation must be agreed upon in regard to these blanks, which shall make it possi- ble for the nominating committee to positively assert that the names of the candidates presented in their report are the choice of those members properly qualified to choose. If nominating blanks are returned to the nominating Parliamentary Procedure ioi committee without identification they should be treated as anonymous com- munications. When the report of a Nominating Committee comes before a society, it should first be read through, and if amended, each office should be consid- ered separately, and then voted upon as a whole (see 21). In the first part of this work the method of nominating from the floor is explained. Nomina- tions from the floor are in order up to the time the vote is taken or polls are open, unless the assembly sees fit to vote "That nominations shall now be closed." It is unwise to crowd a ticket with too many nominees. The report of a Nominating Committee is not a ballot and cannot be used as such. * 50. Informal Consideration of the Question. The assembly may at any time consider a question informally. The Chair may state that if there is no objection the question will be consid- ered informally. One objection neces- * See Appendix. 102 The Parliamentarian sitates a vote. When the Chair sees that the house desires to discuss the question before it at greater length and with more freedom than is possible under the rules of an ordinary consid- eration, he should suggest the Informal Consideration. An Informal Considera- tion of a Question allows every member to speak as often as he can obtain the floor. The only motions in order are to "Amend," and "Adopt." When either of these motions is carried some formal action of the assembly becomes neces- sary after the Informal Consideration has closed. In that case the Chair reports to the assembly as follows, "The assembly acting informally has had such subject under consideration, and recom- mends the following amendments . ' ' The introduction of any motion other than to adopt and amend closes the Informal Consideration. This form of procedure is sometimes preferred to that of the Committee of the Whole, 51. Decorum. It is the duty of the presiding officer to preserve the dignity Parliamentary Procedure 103 of the meeting and enforce the observ- ance of parliamentary procedure. In discussions, the floor should be accorded to the affirmative and negative in turn — first a pro, then a con. No member can be accorded the floor more than once unless by the consent of the house, and then only in the event that no one else desired the floor. The members when speaking must avoid personal language and never refer to other members by name. The Chair must always be spoken of as "the Chair," or "the Presi- dent.'' The member whose motion is before the house has the first right to the floor to open the discussion. The maker of a motion may vote against his own motion, but he may not speak against it. The Chairman cannot close the dis- cussion as long as any one desires to be heard, and even after the affirmative vote on a question has been taken, pro- vided the negative has not been put, a member has a right to claim the floor and speak or introduce a motion. If the Chair considers the discussion has been sufficiently prolonged, he may ask the I04 The Parliamentarian assembly if they are ready for the ques- tion, and if there is no objection, the vote may be put. 52. Debatable Questions. The follow- ing questions shall be decided without debate, all others being debatable : (The English parliamentary law makes all motions debatable, unless there is a rule adopted limiting debate; but every assembly is obliged to restrict debate upon certain motions.) To Fix the Time to Which the Assembly Shall Adjourn (when a Privileged Question see 74.) To Adjourn, in Committee, To Rise (see 74). Orders of the Day (see 78). Suspension of the Rules (see 72). An Appeal (67), unless the Chair throws it open for discussion. Objection to the Consideration of the Question (69). To Lay on the Table, or take from the Table (47). The Previous Question (50). Parliamentary Procedure 105 To Reconsider a Question which is itself undebatable (82). Reading of Papers (70). Withdrawal of a Motion (71). 53. Motions that Open to Discussion the Entire Merits of the Main Question. To Ratify (59). To Postpone Indefinitely (65). To Rescind (80). To Reconsider a Debatable Question (82). Chairmen should remember that ask- ing questions is not discussing. A mem- ber may rise and ask a question in regard to an undebatable question, and a member may rise and ask a question in regard to a debatable question without forfeiting his right to speak to the ques- tion. 54. Motions Which Are Used to Close Debate. The discussion upon any ques- tion before the assembly may be closed by the use of the following Motions. They are undebatable, and with the exception of to Lay on the Table, re- io6 The Parliamentarian quire a two-thirds vote for their adop- tion. An Objection to the Considera- tion of the Question (69). This is allowed only when the question is first given the assembly, and if sustained, not only stops all discussion but pre- vents the question being brought up again during the session. To Lay on the Table (47). If adopted this motion removes the question from before the assembly and carries it to the table, from which it can only be taken by a majority vote. The Previous Question (50). If adopted, this motion closes debate and brings pending business before the assembly to an immediate vote. An assembly may adopt an order limiting debate on any subject before it. This order may specify the number and length of the speeches, and the time when the question under discussion shall be put to vote. 55. Various Methods of Voting. When a question is put to vote the ordinary method is to say "As many as are in Parliamentary Procedure 107 favor say aye," and after the affirmative has been taken, "As many as are op- posed say no; or simply, "Those opposed no." This is called taking a vote by acclamation, and the result is often uncertain, and seems sometimes to be decided more on noise than on numbers. Another method of voting is by asking those in favor to raise their right hand, and those opposed their left hand. A standing vote is often taken. First those voting in the affirmative are requested to stand and then those voting in the negative. Sometimes the house is divided, all those voting in the affirmative going to the right side of the room, those voting in the negative to the left. In the last three methods the vote must be counted by the Record- ing Secretary. A majority vote, that is a majority of the votes cast, ignoring blanks, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion except those requiring a two-thirds vote. When a vote is taken the Chairman must always announce the result and declare that it is carried or lost. No vote is taken unless the io8 The Parliamentarian aye and noes are both called for. If the result of a vote is questioiK^d by any member, a rising vote must be taken. Any member has a right to ask that the vote be counted. This result is accomplished by taking a rising vote. A member has a right to change his vote (when not made by ballot) before the Chair has announced the result of the vote. No one can vote on a question affecting himself, but if more than one name is included in a resolution all are entitled to vote. When there is a tie vote the motion is lost unless the Chair throws a vote for the affirmative. If his vote in the negative will make a tie he can throw it and so defeat the measure. If the Chair votes as a member of the assembly, he forfeits the privilege of throwing the casting vote. If any mem- bers present do not vote when the ques- tion is put, the Chair may inform the assembly that another vote will be taken when he desires every member to vote. In that event the question should be put by a rising vote, and all who do not vote can be counted m the affirma- Parliamentary Procedure 109 tive. If any member desires to with- hold his vote he can ask permission of the Chair to do so. From the decision of the Chair on this point, there is no appeal. The assembly can, by a majority vote, order that the vote on any question be taken by Yeas and Nays. When this method is pursued the Chairman states both sides of the question at once, as follows: "As many as are in favor of the adoption of this resolution will, when their names are called, answer yes; those opposed will answer no.'^' The Recording Secretary then calls the roll, and each member, as his name is called, rises and answers yes or no. The Re- cording Secretary writes down this an- swer opposite the name of the member. Upon the completion of the roll call the Recording Secretary reads over the names of those who voted in the affirma- tive, and afterwards those who voted in the negative, that mistakes may be cor- rected. He then gives the number of votes cast on each side to the Chairman, who announces the result. After the first name has been called it is too late to no The Parliamentarian ask to be excused from voting. The vote on roll call cannot be interrupted for any purpose whatever. Taking the vote by yeas and nays is peculiar to the United States, it has the effect of placing on record the manner in which each member votes. Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is adopted only when required by the Constitution and By-laws or ordered by the assembly. When a vote is taken by ballot the chair- man appoints at least two inspectors, who distribute the ballots and count them. The Inspectors have charge of the ballot box and must see that no one deposits a vote in it who is not entitled to do so. When a vote is taken by ballot and a reconsideration is moved, it is not possible to ask the mover if he voted on the prevailing side. All elections should be by ballot. The Annual meeting is the proper time to hold an election. When an election is held the ballot box should be placed in a room by itself in charge of the Inspectors of election. If the society is small, two inspectors are sufficient; if large, four Parliamentary Procedure hi should be appointed. Members should enter the room in which the ballot box is placed, singly, and deposit their ballots in the box. If they desire to mark their ballots they must do it personally, and use a pencil with a black lead. It is customary to use what is called a blanket ballot, which is in reality a collection of individual ballots printed for conveni- ence on one sheet of paper. Conse- quently each separate office on that blanket ballot must be regarded by the Inspectors as a separate ballot. When the ballots are counted the Inspectors count all ballots upon which the choice of the elector can be discerned. The act of voting consists of placing a cross in the voting space at the left of the name of the nominee printed on the ballot for whom the voter desires to vote. If the name for which he desires to vote does not appear on the ballot the voter may write the name on the blank line provided for that purpose; in that case no cross is needed. The Inspector must see that all votes cast are counted. The eligi- bility of a candidate to hold office does 112 The Parliamentarian not concern the Inspector. When the report of the Inspectors is rendered they first state the whole number of votes cast and then give the number for each office. The candidate receiving the lowest number of votes is mentioned first. Blank ballots are counted. After the report of the Inspectors of elec- tion has been read, it must be acted upon. If it is satisfactory it should be accepted. When a motion to accept the report is carried, the result of the election is accepted, the Chair states that fact and announces the names of the candidates elected to office. It is then that the election is consummated. When several people are nominated to serve on a committee or for any other purpose and a choice must be made, it is customary to decide by the filling of blanks. The Chair instructs the Re- cording Secretary to distribute the blanks, collect them, count them, and state the result. The result is announced by the Chairman simply saying that such a person received the largest number of votes. If any member ob- Parliamentary Procedure 113 jects to the Recording Secretary tak- ing charge of the blanks, the Chair must appoint two Inspectors. All elec- tions must be conducted under the Elec- tion Law of the State. The system sometimes pursued of moving that the Recording Secretary shall cast a vote to elect, is illegal and should never be per- mitted. It is an election by default. One objection will put an end to any such course of action. After the result of an election is declared and accepted by vote, and the President has announced the names of those elected, a motion may be introduced to the effect that the election be declared unanimous. This is a courtesy motion and means nothing. The Chairman of the inspectors must move the adoption of the report of the inspectors. A plurality vote must elect. The ballots must be sealed up and kept for at least thirty days. Any one who takes part in an election can ask for a recount and it must be granted. In any society which provides for the payment of dues only such members as have paid their dues for the current year are eligible 114 The Parliamentarian to participate in the election. No others can be nominated, receive nominations, or vote. 56. Motions Classified According to Their Object. (i) To Modify and Amend. To Amend (59). To Commit or Refer (55). (2) To Defer Action. Postpone to a Certain Time (54). Lay on the Table (47). (3) To Suppress Debate. Previous Question (50). An Order Limiting Debate (53). (4) To Suppress the Question. Objection to the Consideration of the Question (69). Postpone Indefinitely (65). Lay on the Table (47). (5) To Consider a Question the Second Time. Reconsider (82). (6) Order and Rules. Orders of the Day (78). Suspension of the Rules (72). Parliamentary Procedure 115 Questions of Order and Appeal (67). (7) Miscellaneous. Reading of Papers (70). Withdrawal of a Motion (71). Questions of Privilege (76). (8) To Close a Meeting. To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn (74). To Adjourn (74). 57. Government of Clubs and Societies. All Clubs, Societies, and Corporations are governed by a Board of Directors, Trastees, Managers, or Governors elected for that purpose. When a Society is incorporated it is customary for the Board to select from its own ntimber those who shall serve as officers. This is done every year, immediately after the election of each new Board. An Incorporated Society rarely adopts a Constitution, the Certificate of Incor- poration and the By-laws being deemed sufficient. Every member of a Society should be supplied with a copy of the ii6 The Parliamentarian Constitution and By-laws, or the Cer- tificate of Incorporation and By-laws, as the case may be. A person joining a club or society agrees to accept and abide by the pro- visions of the Constitution and By-laws, or Certificate of Incorporation and By- laws, as the case may be. It is essential that every organization shall hold an annual meeting and elect at that meeting a certain nimiber, if not all, of its governing board. All persons elected^ to serve on a Board, or to as- sume any official position, are expected to acquaint themselves with the duties in- volved. To take office when ignorant of the duties involved is unfair, to say the least, to any organization. Proxy voting may be provided for ini the By-laws of a membership corpora- tion; it is not allowed in a non-incor- porated club.* At a meeting of a Board of Directors only the members of the Board who have been legally chosen can be present. If an outsider is present it must be * See Appendix. Parliamentary Procedure 117 stated that he attends for some special purpose, and a unanimous vote must be passed authorizing his attendance. When the matter in which he is interested is disposed of, he leaves the meeting. The only exception to this is in the event of legal complications when an accused person is under some circumstances en- titled to have counsel present. Nothing that is said at a meeting of a Board of Directors should ever be repeated. The Society has a right to be informed of all that is done at a meeting of a Board of Directors, but what is said is a privileged communication. 58. Elections. When an election is about to be held the only members eligible to participate are those who are in good standing. Sometimes the By- Laws make provision for a set time for pajrment of dues, and after that the members are not in good standing, but if this is not the case the above rule becomes effective. Only members in good standing can vote, nominate or receive nominations. When a name is ii8 The Parliamentarian placed in nomination it is the duty of the member vouching for the name to furnish proof that the name is used with the consent of the person named, and that the said person will serve if elected to fill the office for which his name is suggested. 59. Hints to Chairmen. The order of business for an Annual Meeting found on page 38 of this book, may be used at an Annual Meeting of a Club, Corporation, or Church Corporate Meeting. The order of business for a Convention depends on the kind of Convention held, but at all Conventions- the Report of the Credential Committee should be ac- cepted before any business is acted upon. The order of business for a Regular Meeting found on page 36 of this book, is suitable for Business Meetings of Clubs and Societies, Meetings of Boards of Directors, or Church Business Meet- ings. It may be used for all regular meetings other than Annual Meetings. The order of business at a Special Meeting must be confined to the business Parliamentary Procedure 119 for which the meeting was called, and this business must be stated in the notice sent out for the meeting. The Minutes of a Special Meeting should be read before that meeting ad- journs. The above is true of the minutes of a Convention, or of an Annual Meet- ing of a Business or Stock Corporation, or the Annual Corporate Meeting of a Church. When it is desired to confirm some ac- tion taken at a meeting at which a quorum was not present or if for any reason it is desired to place a vote of ratification of action previously taken on the minutes, the motion To Ratify may be employed. The form of this motion is, "I move that," (here state the action in question) " be ratified." Any motion which conflicts with the Federal Law, State Law, or with the provisions of the Constitution or By-laws of the Club, is out of order, and if such motion is put to a vote such vote is null and void. Annual Reports of Officers. The an- nual report of the President should deal I20 The Parliamentarian with the work accomplished by the Club during the year. The annual report of the Recording Secretary should give the number of business meetings held by the Club and by the Executive Board, and should state when quorums were present. If any changes have been made in the Con- stitution, By-laws, or Standing Rules this report should call attention to such changes. The annual report of the Corresponding Secretary should give an acciuate state- ment of all classes of membership. It should also state the number of resigna- tions and the number of members ad- mitted. The Treasurer's annual report must be accompanied by the written attesta- tion of the Chairman of the Auditing Committee or of a public Auditor. A Treasurer's report cannot be adopted, unless it has been audited. PART TWO A Guide to Extemporaneous Speaking and the Art OF Debate A GUIDE TO EXTEMPOEANEOUS SPEAKING AND THE ART OF DEBATE. 60. Methods. There are three methods by which a common ground of agreement is arrived at ; they are the Discussion, the Conference, and the Debate. A ready command of language and the power of speaking with conviction and without notes, is essential to success in any of them. 61. Discussion. All business or ques- tions of any kind that are brought before a club are discussed. In a discussion we speak to present our own views and we are directly responsible for the views presented. It may or may not be a sub- ject to which we have given thought. It is, in any case, a subject in which we are interested and on which we have some opinion, We speak, then, for the pur- 124 The Parliamentarian pose of persuading others to adopt our opinion and vote with us. It is there- fore essential that we should be at one and the same time persuasive and non- antagonistic. The power of presenting an opinion in a clear, concise and logical manner is a power that will frequently give its possessor the result he aims to bring about. 62. Conference. This is a form of dis- cussion which is used when two separate organizations desire to arrive at some common ground in regard to a question of interest to both. When it is desired to hold a conference each organization appoints representatives who meet to- gether and present the points of differ- ence held by their respective organiza- tions. It may be necessary so materi- ally to modify the views held by the dis- agreeing bodies as to necessitate the holding of more than one conference. When a common ground has been agreed upon the conference is terminated, even if the common ground is a disagreement. Extemporaneous Speaking 125 Proper Motions to be Used in Confer- ence. I. To Concur. This motion sig- nifies agreement. 2. To Non-concur. This motion is the reverse of the first. 3. To Recede. When the motion to non-concur is carried then it is in order to consult with the bodies represented at the conference, which sometimes has the result of a desire on the part of one of the bodies to recede from the position taken, hence the motion. 4. To Insist. If, however, neither are wilHng to recede, this motion is in order. 5. To Adhere. When either body has decided that it will be impossible for them to change their views or subscribe to any further com- promise, this motion to adhere, is in order, 63. The Debate. In a debate both sides of the subject are presented and the audience left to draw its own conclusions. UnHke the discussion, it is not a statement of individual opinions but is the presentation of a logical argu- ment which may or may not be the opin- ion of the speaker, Debate is an art, not 126 The Parliamentarian a science, and a good debater is a man of no small intellectual power. We de- bate to convince and persuade and we take whichever side of the question may be assigned to us by the chair- man. It is obvious, then, that a good debater regards the question from a purely impersonal standpoint. The power to express views clearly and con- vincingly is particularly necessary in a debate, 64. Extemporaneous Speaking. Wheth- er we expect to speak in the Discus- sion, Conference, or Debate, or aim to occupy the platform alone, we need to be informed in regard to the rules gov- erning extemporaneous speaking. The first requisite for a successful public speaker is the having something to say. Something that people desire to hear. Many speakers have a great deal to say but it fails to interest their audience and so they are not successful. It is, how- ever, not enough to be able to present a subject in which your audience is inter- ested, you must present it in such a way Extemporaneous Speaking 127 that you can be heard. Hardly a pubHc meeting takes place where all the speak- ers are heard. Never be persuaded to speak on a subject that does not appeal to you. You cannot do it justice. Choose your subject to suit the audience you are called upon to address. Learn to throw your voice to the rear of the room so that all may hear. These are the first requisites for extemporaneous speaking. It will also be essential to know how to present your ideas so as to make them pleasing to your hearers. To do this you must have some slight knowl- edge of logic. Oratory is good and we enjoy an orator; but an orator who is also a logician becomes a leader of men. When you rise to address an audience concentrate your thoughts on yourself and on what you are going to say. Do not allow the mentality of your hearers to influence yours. Look at the extreme end of the room and your voice will fill the room. Remember that you hold your audience by Courtesy, Curiosity, and Interest. The first two will insure you a respectful hearing for a while, but you 128 The Parliamentarian must arouse the last to hold it long. Learn to enunciate clearly and speak slowly; avoid becoming monotonous. Elocution is good in its way, but you must remember that the moment your audience suspects you of simulating an emotion you will lose your power over it. It is natural feeling alone that can awake its feeling. Speak to your audience, not at it. Cultivate a conversational tone and avoid too smooth delivery. It must not suspect you of memorizing. To memorize is fatal to all originality of thought. You should train yourself to alter your form of expression to suit every audience. Stand, while speaking, well poised on both feet. Do not wave your hands. Avoid getting wound up. As you control yourself so, in like degree, you will your audience. Speak with force, so that it will be apparent that you mean what you say. Express yourself clearly and avoid the use of ambiguous language or of words not in common use. An Extemporaneous speech, in the com- mon acceptance of the term, is a speech delivered without notes. It must not be Extemporaneous Speaking 129 confounded with the impromptu speech, which is one composed on the spur of the moment. An extemporaneous speech is one made or procured for the occasion, and, in order to be able to do justice both to your subject and your audience, con- siderable hard work is required before you are in a position to deliver such a speech. When you have collected all your material, you should write out your ideas in the order that you desire to pre- sent them. Then make a list of sug- gestive notes, which will recall to your mind the train of thought that they represent. When you have done this, destroy your written speech and practice the delivery of your speech from the notes. It is essential that you should become accustomed to the sound of your own voice, and consequently, you should practice delivering your speech aloud. Do this until it becomes an easy matter, then when you are called upon to speak in public, your mind will be so full of your subject that you will find your ideas rapidly presenting themselves. Never attempt to confine yourself to any set 130 The Parliamentarian form of words. Be spontaneous as far as possible. If you do not say what you expected to say, do not let it cause you annoyance or hesitation, but continue on and every moment will make it easier. Remember that your audience desires you to succeed. It looks to you for enter- tainment or instruction. It is seldom that an audience is in an antagonistic state of mind toward a speaker. Your audience, in fact, should be largely in the state of mind that you create. It is your prerogative to sway and influence its mind and bend it at least for the time being, to your way of thinking. As you increase in proficiency as a speaker, you will learn to study the faces of your audi- ence and will adapt yourself to meet the atmosphere that confronts you. No two audiences are exactly alike and a speech should be always more or less modified to meet the requirements of the occasion. By the cultivation of these simple rules public speaking will become a pleasure to be desired instead of a bugbear to be avoided. At the present time the cus- tom of after-dinner speaking, both Extemporaneous Speaking 131 among men and women, is very preva- lent; everyone should be able to do his part creditably. The short speech, if well done, generally leads up to some- thing more important and public speak- ing is becoming an accomplishment that it behooves us all to cultivate. 65. Logic. All speech is more pleas- ing to the human understanding when logically expressed. It is therefore es- sential that any one desiring to present a subject in a speech, debate or discussion, should have some slight knowledge of logic. All speech is composed of "terms"; "a term is a word or words that constitute a subject of thought." Every term has its "content," which is its dictionary meaning, or exact defini- tion and its "concept," which is your comprehension of the word. You must, therefore, be careful that the words you employ shall, as far as possible, convey the same meaning or concept to your hearers as they do to you. In order to do this use plain and simple language; let your terms be largely derived from 132 The Parliamentarian the Saxon preferably to those derived from other sources. Any agreement or denial between two concepts is a propo- sition. Example: "Man is human." Here we have the concepts "man "and "human," the verb "is," creates an agreement and so forms a proposition. The subject for a discussion, conference, or debate always consists of a proposi- tion. 66. The Syllogism. A syllogism is a system of reasonmg by means of a mid- dle term. A syllogism contains three propositions, the " Major," " Minor," and "Middle." The Major, or first proposi- tion contains the conclusion, the other two propositions prove this conclusion. In the Minor or third proposition, we have the logical result of the proof con- tained in the Middle or second proposi- tion and these two together bring us back to the Major proposition, which is our conclusion. Example : " All animals are mortal." A dog is an animal. There- fore all dogs are mortal. In order to prove our syllogism to be logical we ap- Extemporaneous Speaking 133 ply the following test which is in the form of a question. Why is a dog mor- tal? Ans. Because he is an animal and all animals are mortal. Any syllogism that does not respond to this test is a fallacy. From this example we see the truth of the assertion that a syllogism is a system of reasoning by means of a middle term. Take away the middle term, and your argument falls to the ground. 67. The Syllogism Applied. Your speech, in order to carry conviction, should be arranged in the form of a syllogism and the closer you confine yourself to the syllogistic arrangement the more convincing you will be. First state your subject; the proposition about which you are to speak. This answers to the Major proposition. Then give your proofs and arguments. These you will see answer to your Middle proposi- tion. Last, draw your conclusion, and work back briefly through your argu- ment to your proposition and thus prove that your summing up or Minor proposi- 134 The Parliamentarian tion logically works back to your Major proposition, which, in turn, contains your conclusion. In the drawing up of a speech, these different parts are usually called, Preamble, Inference, Conclusion. 68. Arrangement of a Speech. After the subject of your speech has been de- cided upon, some time must necessarily be spent in collecting material. No source of information should be neglected and every available means employed to obtain light on the subject. After you have done all you can and feel you are prepared to commence the actual work of preparation you will find it helpful to divide your material under the following headings. These headings are simply for the benefit of the speaker and should only be apparent to the hearers in the degree that the logical and correct ar- rangement appeals to their understand- ing. These headings are: The Exor- dium, Division, Narration, Confirmation, Refutation, and Peroration, six in all. In order to preserve the syllogistic form we arrange these headings in twos. The Extemporaneous Speaking 135 Exordium and Division will form the Preamble and will also be the Major proposition. Narration and Confirma- tion will constitute the Inference and be at the same time the Middle proposition. Refutation and Peroration will sum up and be the conclusion as well as the Minor proposition. We will now pro- ceed to explain what these headlines stand for. 69. Preamble. The first division con- tains the Exordium and Division ; in the Exordium, you state your subject and what you intend to prove in regard to it. In other words, it is a statement of your subject and your object in presenting it. In your Division, you state the point of view from which you intend to consider your subject. These together constitute your Preamble. 70. Inference. The second division of your speech consists of Narration and Confirmation. In Narration you tell all you think necessary in regard to your subject to give your audience a clear 136 The Parliamentarian idea of its merits. It is, in fact, under this heading that you tell anything about your subject that may make it interest- ing or that goes to prove the point you have in view in presenting it. Con- firmation contains the proofs by which you hope to maintain the ground out- lined in your Preamble. In this you present the arguments by which you en- deavor to persuade your audience to ac- cept these proofs. These together con- stitute your Inference. 71. Conclusion. While you have been speaking many points have arisen in the minds of your hearers which are antagon- istic to what you are endeavoring to prove. You now come to your Refuta- tion and Peroration. In your Refuta- tion you answer, as far as possible, the antagonistic views which you feel sure some of your hearers hold. You en- deavor to refute them. This leads to your Peroration, or summing up, in which you briefly revise the ground you have covered in your speech, and show that, having presented a good logical Extemporaneous Speaking 137 argument, you are entitled to have the proposition admitted as proved. These together constitute your Conclusion. 72. Example of the Arrangement of a Speech. Subject The Value of Our Pubhc School System. Preamble. Exordium. Statement of subject and of the intention of the speaker to prove the value of our Public School System. Division. Point of View is that of the value of the system to the community at large. Inference. Narration. Brief account of the system, giving some of its practical workings. Confirmation. In countries where no such systems exist conditions show that edu- 138 The Parliamentarian cational standards are lower and in consequence the community suffers. Conclusion. Refutation. The objection- is often raised to our system that it teaches too many different subjects. Those who object do not sufficiently appre- ciate the fact that our schools con- tain an infinite variety of minds, and, in order to give each an op- portunity for perfect individual mental development, many lines of work must be suggested that each may ultimately pursue the one for which he is most suited. Peroration. The above line of argument being admitted, the proposition em- bodied as the subject of the speech must be admitted to have been conclusively proved. The above skeleton of a speech will show how any subject can be arranged on the lines suggested. Extemporaneous Speaking 139 73. Induction and Deduction. In the preparation of a logical argument two methods may be pursued, the Inductive or the Deductive. In the first, you ar- gue from an Inference. In the second, from a known fact. Almost all religious arguments are framed on the inductive system. Mathematical arguments are always deductions. The argument on which is based the commonly accepted hypothesis used to explain the origin of our solar system is inductive. The argu- ment from which we infer that touching a red hot iron will result in a burn is deductive. The first is based on the assumption that, given certain imagin- ary conditions that we have reason to believe once existed, certain results were bound to follow. The second is based on the assumption that, given the same conditions, what has happened will hap- pen. All inventions are largely the re- sult of induction. Induction must, in fact, have preceded deduction. In pre- paring the line of argument for a speech the speaker must decide as to which of these methods will best carry out the purposes he has in mind. I40 The Parliamentarian 74- Debate. Of all forms of argumen- tation the debate affords the highest possibilities for the display of intellect- uality. It differs from other forms of argumentation in that it presupposes the existence of two sides for the subject presented. It has the negative con- stantly in mind. It is therefore neces- sary that the subject for debate shall be presented in the form of a positive affirm- ative proposition. In order to debate a question, it must be presented in the affirmative. You may not defend what has not been attacked. It is possible sometimes, to debate an apparent nega- tive, an apparent, not an actual nega- tive. A skillful debater can frame such a proposition. To be debatable a subject must have two sides ; you cannot debate" truisms. To creditably take part in a debate requires considerable practice as well as ability. Professor Alden tells us in his book, "The Art of Debate," that "The mental habits which go to make a good debater are of the highest type and are usually developed only by considerable Extemporaneous Speaking i4i training. They involve the ability to find out as well as to defend truth; the ability to analyze keenly and swiftly the essential from the trivial, the wilHngness to consider the questions apart from the prejudices with which one is tempted to view them, and finally, the power of ex- pression. To these must be added, for one who will be successful in active de- bate, the ability to decide quickly which of two or three possible lines of attack shall be chosen, and the power of rapidly arranging one's thoughts in a way to make them seem reasonable to others." While few of us may be able to attain to this degree of excellence, no one should be deterred from studying the art of debate and taking advantage of the mental stimulus the study brings. Any one who can find reasons for his conten- tion and state them clearly is an accept- able debater, 75. Proposition. On the care with which the proposition is framed rests largely the success of the debate. As has been stated, it must be an affirmative ; 142 The Parliamentarian must contain a clear and concise state- ment of a fact; must be capable of a well-defined negative. The topic sug- gested for the extemporaneous speech would form a good topic for a debate. The proposition might be worded as fol- lows: "Resolved: That our Public Schools are the Best in the World." This is a clear statement of a fact and admits of a decided negative. 76. Point of View. The first point to be decided in regard to the proposition presented is its precise meaning, or what it maintains. If it is susceptible of being regarded from more than one point of view it is the privilege of those who have the debate in charge to choose the point of view from which it shall be debated. Our proposition clearly states that our schools are the best in the world. We may maintain our proposition from the point of view of the value of the " System, or the point of view of the value of the edu- cation carried on under that system." These different points of view would in- volve different lines of argument. Our Extemporaneous Speaking 143 point of view limits the scope of our argument. Care should be taken that the point of view should be one from which everything contained in the propo- sition may be consistently debated. 77. Chairman. The Chairman has charge of the debate. He occupies the Chair and states the proposition, outlines the point of view and introduces the speakers. It is also his business to read the summing up and put the vote. He must see that the speakers adhere to the point of view, and are careful to debate the proposition from that point of view. If there is no other arrangement or rule, the Chairman assigns the sides upon which those taking part in the debate shall prepare themselves to speak. When the hour has come for the opening of the debate the Chairman rises and says: " We will now proceed to debate the fol- lowing resolution or proposition: Re- solved, That (here state resolution). From the point of view of (here state point of view)." He then introduces the speakers. The first speaker is of 144 The Parliamentarian course the leader of the affirmative. When the debate is closed the Chairman reads the summing up from notes he has taken during the progress of the pro- ceedings. He reads first, the line of argument presented by the affirmative; next, that presented by the negative. He does not mention the speakers but reads the argument as a connect- ed whole. After this two votes are taken. The first is on the merits of the argument, the second on the mer- its of the resolution. The first is put as follows: "Resolved, That the affirma- tive sustained the resolution, those in favor say aye . Opposed no.'' This vote is simply to develop the fact as to which side, in the opinion of the audience, has the cleverer speakers. If the negative speakers are considered the cleverer, the motion will be lost. The second vote is on the resolution irrespective of any argument that may have been presented. It is put as follows: "Resolved, That (here state resolution), all in favor say aye. Opposed h<9." The Chairman then announces the results of the votes, and the debate is ended. Extemporaneous Speaking 145 78. Speakers. The form of debate outlined in this book is the usual form. For this there should be at least four prepared speakers, and more if they are obtainable. These are the First Affirmative, First Negative, Second Affirmative, Second Negative, and, if possible. Third Affirmative and Third Negative. More prepared speakers are desirable if it is possible to obtain them. After the prepared speakers have spoken the debate is thrown open to all those present. Any one may speak to the question who can obtain the floor, the only rules to be observed being the alter- nating of the affirmative and negative and the adherence to the point of view. A formal debate is one in which only prepared speakers take part and may be conducted by two speakers. 79. First Affirmative. The Chairman introduces the first affirmative as follows ; "Mr. A. will present the affirmative side of the argument." The speaker begins by recognizing the Chair and the audi- ence and says, "Mr. Chairman and La- 146 The Parliamentarian dies and Gentlemen." If it is a club he varies the above by saying "And mem- bers of" (here state name of club). In presenting the argument for the affirm- ative the speaker simply presents the proposition as it stands. No attack having been made it simply rests with the affirmative to establish by proof a given proposition. This is usually ex' pressed by saying that on the affirmative rests the burden of proof. It is for the speaker to decide what are the essential points to be proved. The first affirm- ative may not shirk the burden resting upon him; he must establish the proof of the proposition. As the Burden of Proof is on the First Affirmative the presumption favors the Negative. A skillful leader of the affirmative will so present the argument as to raise the pre- sumption against the negative while not actually attacking it. This may be done by proving facts which shall raise a pre- sumption in favor of the affirmative. If we accept the resolution as the subject for a debate, "That our PubHc Schools Are the Best in the World," taking for Extemporaneous Speaking 147 our point of view the educational results of the system carried out in those schools the leader of the affirmative would have to prove that children educated at our schools were the best educated children in the world. By means of comparison with tlie children of other countries he could raise a presumption against the negative. The leader of the affirmative must then establish the fact contained in the proposition and apply his reason- ing to that fact, being careful not to con- found illustration for proof. The trend of an affirmative argument may be summed up as follows: i. The resolu- tion as presented is true. 2 . It has been proved to be true for the following rea- sons. 3. There can be little doubt that it will continue to be true no matter how attacked. Nothing should be advanced by the leader of the affirmative that cannot be conclusively proved. 80. First Negative. The Chairman in- troduces the leader of the Negative as follows: "Mr. B. will present the nega- tive side of the argument." The leader 148 The Parliamentarian of the negative presents the resolution from the negative standpoint ; he main- tains that it is not what is claimed. On him rests the Burden of Refutation. He does not answer any of the points brought forward by the affirmative, he has only to present the negative. He proceeds on the assumption that the fact stated in the resolution cannot be sus- tained from the point of view stated. In stating the negative argument of a debate conducted on the resolution "That Our PubHc Schools Are the Best in the World," the negative would sim- ply bring proofs to show that from an educational standpoint they were not. 81. Second Affirmative. The second speaker in the affirmative is introduced by the Chairman as follows : " Mr. C. will speak on the affirmative and answer the leader of the negative." It will be seen from this that the second affirmative has no light task. He must confine himself strictly to answer what the leader of the negative has said. He may not intro- duce any new matter. It is also essen- Extemporaneous Speaking 149 tial that he pursue the lines laid down by the leader of the affirmative. It needs a ready speaker and quick thinker to successfully take the part of second affirmative. 82. Second Negative. The Chairman introduces the second negative by say- ing: "Mr. D. will speak in the negative and answer the first and second affirma- tive." The second negative must be able to combat all the affirmative points that have been raised. He must confine himself to the ground outlined by his predecessor, the first negative. It will be easily understood that the second speakers on the affirmative and negative stand in need of quick wits and retentive memories. It is, however, always easier to attack than to maintain and the first speakers have the hardest task. 83. Close of Debate. If only four speakers are prepared the debate is then thrown open to those present, being care- ful to have the affirmative and negative speakers alternate, and after they have ISO The Parlamentarian spoken the floor is given to the first affirmative who may answer some of the points raised by the speakers on the other side. The floor is then given to the first negative for the same purpose. After this the Chairman reads the summing up, and puts the vote, and the debate is ended. When it is desirable to allow the audience to discuss the proposition before the final vote is taken, only the vote on the argiiment is put when the debaters have finished. The proposition is then discussed by those present and after the discussion is over the proposition is put to vote. 84. Spoken Debate. We have taken for granted in this book that the debate will be spoken, not read. Whatever we may think of the reading of papers, they are absolutely destructive to a debate. The speakers must be able to meet all sorts of unforeseen emergencies and often must say something entirely different from what they expected to say. No form of argumentation requires as much Extemporaneous Speaking 151 preliminary work as debating, and what often passes for extreme brilliancy is simply the result of careful preparation. The only reason any one can give for taking up the time of an audience is that he has a thought to convey; to speak for any other reason is a waste of time. This thought may instruct, amuse, surprise, or be simply a narration of well-known facts ; it may please or displease, but it must be a thought in order to furnish an excuse for speaking. We speak to convey a thought, and this thought must be conveyed in a logical and convincing way. If we are master of the arrangement of a speech and under- stand the proper use of language, we can say much that we would otherwise find it hard to say. Often a skillful speaker will interest and entertain his audience, while at the same time he is telling them truths which from one who is less skillful as a speaker woiild be tmwelcome. No matter how short the time allowed you, try to convey some thought to your audience that they can carry away with them and digest. 152 The Parliamentarian It is hoped that the second part of this book will awaken a desire on the part of members of societies to discuss ques- tions of current interest intelligentlyand debate them logically. It appears that the times are ripe for the cultivation of individual effort as shown in the ready speech, or well thought out debate. Let us depend more on ourselves and less on our encyclopedias. Let the written speech be left to such lecturers as must be sure of their statistics and let us seek to put ourselves in touch with our hear- ers without the barrier of a paper. No one can read and look at his hearers at the same time. A reader can establish no magnetic connection with those to whom he reads. The magnetic connec- tion a speaker should establish between himself and his audience is one of the greatest elements of his success. How- ever fine your voice, you can scarcely use it to advantage if your head is bent over a paper. Be in a position to look your hearers in the face, speak to them as man to man, and let the papers be relegated to the scrap-basket or the club archives. Extemporaneous Speaking 153 A ready speaker is always in demand. By that phrase is meant one who can be called upon to speak with but little if any preparation. Only practice and training can accomplish this. It was said once of a brilliant speaker that he never spoke on the subject suggested. This proved he was brilliant but not ready. With the proper application and con- centration and a good all-roimd knowl- edge of the topics of the day, we can all train ourselves to speak acceptably if not brilliantly. This is an age of speeches, and all should be able to take part when called upon and do it in an interesting and convincing manner. APPENDIX Page 27 A special meeting is a meeting called to consider and decide some urgent business which cannot be put off until the next business meeting of the Club. The purpose of the meeting is stated in the call and no other business can be transacted. In order to be sure that those present realize what action has been decided upon and what liability (if any) has been as- simied, the minutes of the meeting should be read and approved before the meeting adjourns. Special meetings should only be called when an emergency arises that can not be met in any other way. An Executive Board is required to meet when any business needs attention. To call a business meeting of an Execu- tive Board a special meeting is therefore a misnomer. 156 The Parliamentarian Page 49 An amendment to a Constitution or By-laws may be tabled without taking th« Constitution or By-laws with it as an amendment to anything already adopted in a main motion. Page 50 This motion can only be applied to motions actually pending. It is not in order to apply it to unfinished business or to reports of committees or, in fact, to any business which the assembly has agreed to consider. Page 81 When the motion to Rescind is intro- duced without notice it requires a two- thirds vote to carry it but if notice of its proposed introduction is given either at a previous meeting or on the call to the meeting at which it is proposed to intro- duce it, then it may be carried by a ma- jority vote. Appendix 157 Page 84 When the President of a Club realizes that the introduction of this motion may prove an obstruction of the trans- action of necessary business he should call attention to the fact and arrange for a date to be set when a meeting may be held at v/hich the reconsideration will be brought up. Page 98 When it is desired to adopt the report without the recommendation it is in order to move that the recommendation be detached from the report. When this motion is carried, the recommendation is taken up after the report is adopted and considered by itself. The motion to Lay on the Table may be applied to a recommendation which has been detached from a report but can not be applied to it while it is a part of the report. Page 10 1 When a Club desires to arrange for the possibility of the making up of more 158 The Parliamentarian than one ticket, provision should be made in the By-laws authorizing twenty or more members of the Club to meet and make up a ticket. All tickets made up in this manner must be forwarded to the Executive Board of the Club which must carefully observe the signature to see that no one member has assisted in the mak- ing up of more than one ticket. In this case no Nominating Committee is pro- vided for. Page ii6 When the membership of an organiza- tion is so scattered as to make it difficult for it to assemble, it is allowable for the By-laws to provide that all elections should be conducted through the mails. INDEX. SECTIONS Adjourn 36 Amend 25 Amend constitution 26 Annual reports 59 Arrangement of speech 68, 72 Auditing committee 12 Ballot.. 55 Burden of proof 79 Burden of refutation 80 By-laws .. 26, 57 Chairman 1 , 6, 77 Commit .^ " 24 Committees > 43 "■ ^special i, 24, 46 '"^^^^ standing 24, 45 Comrnittee of the whole 24, 44 Conference! 62 Constitution^ 2, 26, 57 Convention T. 3, 59 Corporate meeting 59 Corresponding secretary 10 Credential committee 3 Debate .'J. . .'. , 63, 74 Decorum^. 51 DeductionT. ..,. 73 'i6o Index SECTIONS Delegates 3 Discussion 61 Division of the question 25 Elections 49, 55, 58 Executive Board 17, 57 Extemporaneous speaking 64 Filling of blanks 25, 55 Fix the time to which to adjourn 35 General orders 38 Government of clubs and societies 57 Hints to chairmen 59 Honorary officers 13 Incidental questions 28 Induction 73 Informal consideration of the question .... 50 Introduction of business 1 18 Lay on the table 21 Logic 65 Main motion or question 19 Meetings Annual 4. I5, 57. 59 Mass I Regular 4, I4» 57, 59 Special 4, 59 Methods to reach common ground of agreement 60, 62 Minutes 8, 16, 59 Miscellaneous motions 39 Motions classified according to their object 56 Motions that open discussion on main question 53 Index i6i SECTIONS Motions used to close debate 54 Nominating committee 49 Nominations i, 49, 55, 58 Objection to the consideration of the question 30 Order and appeal 29 Order of business Annual meeting I5» 59 Regular meeting 14. 59 Special meeting 59 Church corporate meeting 59 Stockholders' meeting 59 Board of Directors 59 All other meetings 59 Orders of the day 38 Permanent society or club 2, 57 Point of view 76 Postpone to a certain day 23 Postpone indefinitely 2^ Preamble 69 President 6, 51, 59 Previous question 22 Privileged questions 34 Proposition 75 Questions of privilege 37 Quorum 5 Quorum of a committee 46 Ratify 59 Reading of papers 31 Reception of reports 48 Reconsider 42 i62 Index SECTIONS Recording secretary i , 8 Refer 24 Renew a motion 41 Report of Committee i , 47 Rescind 40 Resolutions •. i Roll call 55 Second affirmative 81 Second negative 82 Secretary i Speakers in debate 78 Special orders 38 Spoken debate 84 Standing rules 2 Subsidiary motions 20 Substitution 25 Suspension of the rules 33 S3dlogism . 66, 67 To take from the table 21 To take up a question which has been postponed 23 Treasurer 11 Undebatable questions 52 Various methods of voting 55 Vice-president 7 Void motions 59 Voluntary or mass meeting called to discuss the advisability of forming a society or taking som^e other action i Withdrawal of a motion 32 Yeas and Nays 55 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 050 252 9